Lawmaker to Invite Senior Officials to Congress After Delays in Digital Services Improvement Effort

A California lawmaker is seeking to hold federal tech leaders accountable for delays experienced in the government’s rollout of improved digital services.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said he plans to invite people associated with the effort to testify before the House of Representatives to update lawmakers on its progress, including completed projects and future endeavors.

The lawmaker plans to invite senior leaders from the General Services Administration, the Office of Management and Budget and the White House’s U.S. Digital Service to clarify the lack of advancements, FedScoop reported.

Khanna’s plan comes after a FedScoop article in August revealed that officials overseeing the steps have failed to prioritize improvement projects despite it being a priority for the Biden-Harris administration.

The 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act was enacted in 2018, mandating several government agencies to lead the effort to make it easier for Americans to access government services by enhancing the way it is accessed online.

Some aspects of the IDEA Act have started rolling. In August, the Technology Modernization Fund released a document guiding federal agencies as they launch projects to improve customer experience while accessing government websites.