Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee unanimously passed an amendment offered by Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) to strengthen accountability and oversight of the Technology Modernization Fund. The amendment was adopted as part of the Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation led by Representatives Nancy Mace and Shontel Brown. Prior to his passing, Congressman Gerry Connolly led the bill alongside Representative Mace.

The Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act of 2025 would extend the Technology Modernization Fund through 2032, building on a proven tool that has helped agencies modernize outdated federal IT systems. Since its creation, the TMF has provided more than $750 million to support 45 federal IT modernization projects, playing a critical role in improving cybersecurity and government efficiency. Much of that success followed a historic infusion of funds in 2021 through the American Rescue Plan and changes that eased repayment requirements, allowing agencies to pursue larger, more transformative projects.

“Federal agencies rely on the Technology Modernization Fund to take on major IT upgrades that simply are not possible under the normal appropriations process,” said Congressman Walkinshaw. “Without a mechanism like the TMF, agencies are forced to delay critical upgrades, leaving taxpayers with higher long-term costs and greater cybersecurity risks.”

The TMF was designed to encourage agencies to modernize legacy systems that are expensive to maintain and vulnerable to cyber threats. When agencies cannot absorb the full cost of modernization within a single budget year, outdated systems remain in place, driving up costs and exposing sensitive data.

Congressman Walkinshaw’s amendment strengthens oversight to ensure TMF resources are being used as intended. Under the newest version of the MGT Reform Act passed out of committee today, the Federal Chief Information Officer is required to produce an annual, prioritized list of legacy federal IT projects based on agency input. The Walkinshaw amendment requires the Government Accountability Office to report every two years, alongside other reporting requirements included in the bill, on the extent to which TMF funds are being used to address those prioritized legacy systems.

“This amendment gives Congress and the public a clearer picture of whether TMF dollars are actually being used to modernize the most critical legacy systems,” Walkinshaw said. “It is a common-sense step to make sure we are getting results, protecting taxpayer dollars, and modernizing federal IT in a way that delivers a more secure and effective government.”

"As the leading voice of the government contracting industry with a particular focus on the federal services, technology, and solutions sector, we commend the unanimous passage out of committee of the Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act (H.R. 2985)," said Professional Services Council CEO James Carroll. "This commonsense legislation provides for the necessary evolution of the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) to support critical projects across the government, cover its administrative fees, account for legacy IT systems, and — thanks to an amendment by Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-Va.) — provide for much-needed oversight of TMF projects, their stated objectives, and their track records in successfully modernizing federal IT. We support the aims of H.R. 2985, including practical oversight mechanisms, and look forward to its earliest possible passage."

The bill now moves forward with bipartisan support following its unanimous passage out of committee.

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