[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. MORAN (for himself, Mr. Udall, Mr. Daines, and Mr. 
        Warner):
  S. 3263. A bill to promote innovation and realize the efficiency 
gains and economic benefits of on-demand computing by accelerating the 
acquisition and deployment of innovative technology and computing 
resources throughout the Federal Government, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, data has become a form of currency. Today, 
businesses and government are processing and storing more information 
than ever. This creates access, organization, and security problems for 
government agencies using outdated, legacy IT systems.
  I worked in the technology sector for over a decade. We were doing 
cloud computing before the cloud even had a name. So I know first-hand 
the advantages cloud computing offers from a cost-saving, organization, 
and security perspective.
  The private sector is transitioning to cloud computing systems at a 
rapid pace, but the government continues to lag behind. There are 
unnecessary impediments related to planning, funding, and procurement 
that inhibit Federal agencies from migrating to cloud computing 
services.
  That is why I am proud to join my colleagues Senator Moran, Senator 
Udall, and Senator Warner in introducing the Cloud IT Act. This bill 
will accelerate deployment of cloud computing services in the Federal 
government by removing impediments to investment. It will streamline 
the procurement process for IT tools and encourage the government to 
work more closely with the cloud computing industry.
  Migrating Federal government systems to cloud computing services will 
reduce redundancies and save time and taxpayer dollars. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this much needed legislation.
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