E-Gov reauthorization still possible

Passage of a reauthorization bill for the E-Gov Act remains possible, but Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) still has a hold on it.

Many of the law's provisions are mirrored elsewhere, but the government would lose some flexibility if reauthorization fails, Trey Hodgkins, vice president of federal government programs at the Information Technology Association of America, said today.

"What is of concern is that without a reauthorization, this act will no longer be available to give flexibility to respond to new or evolving issues, like cybersecurity," he said. "That's not to say there aren't other authorities, but this is an important one in this arena and a priority for industry."

However, ITAA officials said the chances of passage are slim. ITAA has not made a direct request of the Inhofe to lift the hold, according to association officials.

The bill, S. 2321, would reauthorize the act, which was originally passed in 2002, through 2012.

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) had put a hold on the bill in late September, demanding an amendment that would require privacy assessments of commercial data services that include sensitive personal information when agencies use the services.