The new Senate-passed defense spending package contains a bill that would fund projects to modernize government information technology systems.A press release published Monday on Sen. Jerry Moran’s (R-Kansas) website said the upper chamber inserted the Modernizing Government Technology Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2018.
The NDAA was approved by the Senate through a 89-8 vote Monday and would authorize $700 billion in Defense Department spending.
MGT Act would create IT working capital funds at 24 federal government agencies and permit the agencies to finance IT modernization efforts using savings achieved through upgraded IT systems.
The legislation would also establish a centralized modernization fund within the Treasury Department for the head of the General Services Administration to distribute across agencies following consultation with a board of federal IT professionals.
Sens. Moran and Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) introduced the MGT Act with support from Sens. Steve Daines (R-Montana) and Mark Warner (D-Virginia) as well as Reps. Will Hurd (R-Texas) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA).
