Senate approves reform package for government information technology

The U.S. Senate approved this week a reform package aimed at making government IT spending more efficient and accelerating the government’s transition to modern technology.

The Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Act creates an incentive for the federal government to streamline IT systems through a working capital fund, which consists of the savings federal agencies obtain when they update their technology.

“By incentivizing the transition to modern technology, we will allow the government to harness cutting-edge technologies, use each dollar more efficiently, strengthen our digital infrastructure and improve government services for everyone,” Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX), who sponsored the legislation in the House, said. “I thank my colleagues in both the House and Senate for working together to get the MGT Act one step closer to the finish line.”

The U.S. House of Representatives advanced the legislation in May. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced the Senate companion legislation, S. 990, in April.

“The MGT Act is a perfect example of what we can accomplish when we seek common-sense solutions in a bipartisan way,” Udall said. “This major legislation to modernize the federal government’s grossly outdated IT systems will strengthen our national security and save taxpayers millions.