“Passing the landmark MGT Act will modernize our Federal IT infrastructure and position Federal agencies to expeditiously upgrade their systems–with strong built-in oversight by Congress–to continuously evolve and protect against cybersecurity threats at home and around the globe,” said Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., who co-sponsored the MGT Act in the Senate with Sen Tom Udall, D-N.M. “In addition, nearly 75 percent of the $80 billion we are spending annually on Federal IT systems is going toward maintaining and operating legacy IT rather than making lasting improvements. These improved efficiencies will end that practice and ultimately save billions of taxpayer dollars by reducing long-term spending. I’m pleased my colleagues on both sides of the aisle agree that IT investment reforms are an important step toward a more efficient, effective and secure government.”
The Act received significant bipartisan support in Congress, with the NDAA passing through the House with a vote of 356-70. Outside of Congress, industry leaders have also praised the bill.
“The MGT Act will be an important accelerator in the journey to modernize and optimize the impact of Federal IT,” said Gary Newgaard, VP of Public Sector, Pure Storage. “Agencies are facing a digital revolution and need a data platform for the cloud to help them keep up with the deluge of data and regulations they face every day. This Act represents a leap forward in transforming the paradigm in which the bulk of IT investment is focused on keeping legacy systems up and running instead of on innovation that will bring a new level of efficiency and effectiveness to Federal agencies.”
The MGT Act is now on its way to President Trump’s desk for his signature. He is expected to sign the bill soon.