Federal Workers Going To Work For Lyft, Uber During Government Shutdown

ARLINGTON, Va. (CBS Local) -- The partial government shutdown is wreaking havoc on the ride-sharing industry, especially in the nation's capital.

Ride-sharing drivers in Washington, D.C., say tourists and government workers are normally their core customers. But business has come to a screeching halt since the partial government shutdown began Dec. 21.

"Whenever the government is shutdown, it really affects us," driver Cliff Monroe told WJLA on Monday.

And now, some of the 800,000 government workers who are not being paid are getting behind the wheel to make ends meet.

"With the government shutdown, you have more people working for the government doing Uber, and for the full-time Uber drivers, that is really affecting us too, and our money," said ride-share driver Nate Murrell.

Meantime, negotiations to end the shutdown remain at an impasse. President Donald Trump says he may declare a national emergency to bypass Congress and use $5.7 billion from military funds to build a wall along the nation's southern border. But Democrats, who refuse to fund a border wall, say that could lead to a court battle.

Until both sides figure it out, Monroe said he's trying to stay positive.

"Life has its curves and straight lines—you got to take the bitter with the sweet," he said.