Washington
— TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy
CEOs and senior executives, today applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for
passing legislation that would allow the federal government to improve its outdated
technology systems and bolster the nation’s cybersecurity defenses.
The Modernizing Government Technology Act (MGT
Act) authorizes funding to improve, retire, or replace current federal government
technology systems, accelerate the transition to cloud computing, and procure IT
products and services to strengthen the federal government’s cybersecurity defenses. Representative Will Hurd (R-TX) introduced the
bill last month with Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA). Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Tom Udall (D-NM)
have introduced a companion bill, S. 990, which awaits action in the Senate.
In welcoming
the House’s action, TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore issued the following statement:
“With this vote, the House sent a bipartisan
message in no uncertain terms that it is time to move beyond the IT status quo that
federal agencies and departments are saddled with today.
“The federal government spends 80 percent
of its $80 billion IT budget on maintaining aging, insecure, and expensive legacy
systems. This is simply unacceptable in an
era of increasing cyber threats.
“The MGT Act will accelerate the sound
adoption of state-of-the-art technologies, helping the federal government secure
citizen data from cyber attacks, deliver higher quality services to our
veterans and other citizens, and save taxpayer dollars.
“TechNet thanks Representative Will
Hurd, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Minority
Whip Steny Hoyer, Representative Robin Kelly, and Representative Gerry Connolly
for their leadership on this critically important issue. TechNet stands ready to work with the Senate to
pass the MGT Act and usher in a new era of secure, efficient, and cost-effective
government services.”