Groups Urge Congress to Fund Federal Tech Upgrades in Next COVID Stimulus Bill

The next stimulus package—expected to infuse trillions of dollars into the U.S. economy—must include significant and targeted funding for federal, state and local technology upgrades, according to a group of federal IT-focused advocacy groups. As Americans receive checks from the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act, Congress is already considering another round of stimulus spending to ease the pain of strict social distancing measures. To be truly effective, the funding must also include support for the underlying IT systems used to distribute emergency aid and ensure government operations continue unabated, according to a letter sent Wednesday to House and Senate leadership.