September 12, 2017

The Honorable John McCain
Chairman
Senate Committee on Armed Services
Washington, DC  20510

The Honorable Jack Reed
Ranking Member
Senate Committee on Armed Services
Washington, DC  20510

Dear Senators McCain and Reed:

Re:  Modernizing Government Technology Act of 2017

On behalf of the CEO members of Business Roundtable, an association comprised of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies representing all sectors of the economy, I am writing to express our support for the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Act of 2017 (S. 990) and request that you include the MGT Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018 (S. 1519).

We believe that the MGT Act promotes sound policies that advance public and private sector priorities. In general, smart investment and adoption of innovative information technologies enhances delivery of essential services and improves our national cybersecurity posture. Bipartisan support for the bill sends a strong message that technology innovation is a high priority and in our national interest to pursue.

In addition, Business Roundtable supports specific parts of the MGT Act:

• Business Roundtable supports strengthening federal cybersecurity through IT modernization: We support the MGT Act’s focus on procuring modern, cost-effective technologies by making flexible funding streams available to federal departments and agencies. We believe that public and private sectors share common interests reflected in the proposed bill. We support the focus on IT modernization to ensure the secure and effective delivery of essential citizen services.
• Business Roundtable supports the MGT Act’s emphasis on new technologies: Business Roundtable supports the proposed bill’s prioritization of modern technologies. These innovative solutions are designed with cybersecurity in mind, making them cost-effective and more secure compared to outdated technology. The proposed IT policy reform demonstrates that Congress embraces innovation as a vital part of federal cybersecurity and the delivery of services.
• Business Roundtable appreciates that the MGT Act aligns with the Administration’s priorities to modernize federal IT: We appreciate that the MGT Act aligns closely with Presidential actions to prioritize IT modernization across the federal government. We also appreciate the bipartisan support for the bill in Congress. This alignment signals a unified effort to raise the level of cybersecurity across the federal government.

The MGT Act demonstrates the government’s commitment to improve national cybersecurity by modernization of federal IT systems and practices. In addition, the bipartisan support for the bill sends a strong message that innovation is a high priority across the government.

Business Roundtable appreciates your leadership on this issue and encourages the inclusion of the MGT Act as part of the NDAA.