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By Natalie Alms, Justin Katz, Adam Mazmanian
Mar 12, 2021
President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan on Thursday. The new paid leave for federal employees and the $1 billion investment in the Technology Modernization Fund and other tech provisions are now law.
The House of Representatives and the Biden administration initially urged $9 billion for the TMF, but the price tag was too steep for many on the Senate side. Eventually, lawmakers on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee pressed for the $1 billion addition to the fund, which is currently capitalized at $175 million and is funding 10 projects. We need to do more to move away from outdated systems and invest in technology that is cost-effective, secure, and meets the needs of the American people, Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) told FCW in an emailed statement. The $1 billion in funding for the Technology Modernization Fund can be used for government agencies to modernize the
By Adam Mazmanian
The House of Representatives passed the Senate s version of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Act Plan on Wednesday. The vote was 220-211.
The signature elements of the bill include money for direct individual payments to Americans, expanded tax credits for children, an extension of enhanced unemployment benefits as well as public health measures to speed the acquisition and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
But for the federal IT community, the bill will also be remembered for its dramatic expansion of the Technology Modernization Fund. The bill adds $1 billion to the $175 million capitalization of the revolving fund that agencies can use to upgrade their information technology. So far, the fund has been used in relatively small projects to acquire cloud email or digitize citizen services, but the addition of $1 billion through fiscal year 2025 means that the fund can support more substantial projects and address more applicants for funds.
Quick Hits Two Senate committees voted on Wednesday to advance the nomination of President Joe Biden s pick for deputy director at the
Office of Management and Budget,
Shalanda Young. Her nomination for the somewhat sleepy post of OMB deputy director has assumed new urgency in since
Neera Tanden, Biden s pick for OMB director, dropped out of the running after Senate opposition.
If confirmed, the Biden administration plans for Young to serve as acting director of OMB, White House Press Secretary
Jen Psaki said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
White House Chief of Staff
Ron Klainsaid in an interview with Punchbowl News on Tuesday that Young herself is a very serious candidate for the top position at OMB and definitely under consideration.