Washington, D.C. — TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, today applauded President Trump’s signing of the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law, which includes the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Act.
A top federal legislative priority for TechNet, the MGT Act authorizes funding to improve, retire, or replace current federal government technology systems, accelerate the transition to cloud computing platforms, and procure IT products and services to strengthen the federal government’s cybersecurity defenses and better serve our citizens. Representative Will Hurd (R-TX) authored the bill in the House, and Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Tom Udall (D-NM) were its lead champions in the Senate.
The following statement is attributable to Linda Moore, President & CEO of TechNet:
“The Modernizing Government Technology Act becoming law won’t make the national front pages or evening news, but it is a significant achievement that will help modernize our government’s IT systems and help prevent the cyberattacks and data breaches that are making national headlines with increasing frequency. Instead of wasting 80 percent of its annual budget on maintaining older IT systems, our government can now channel those resources to improve its cybersecurity defenses, protect our citizens’ privacy, and deliver services more effectively and efficiently to our nation’s veterans, students, and others seeking assistance.
“TechNet appreciates the work of all those who contributed to the effort to pass this law. We thank Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, Representatives Will Hurd and Robin Kelly, Senators Jerry Moran and Tom Udall, the White House Office of American Innovation, and President Trump for recognizing the urgent need to reboot our IT infrastructure and update it for the 21st century.”
On November 21, TechNet urged members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to ensure the MGT Act is fully funded in the upcoming fiscal year. A copy of the letter can be found here.