U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) successfully shepherded legislation to update the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program through the House last week.
“I am proud to witness my legislation that is set to modernize and streamline critical information technology for the private and public sectors pass the House floor with overwhelming bipartisan support,” LaHood said. “This bill will modernize the NITRD Program so advancements in computing technologies can transform how companies learn, how they conduct business, and how we maintain a strong national security apparatus.”
HR 5312 will allow updates to the NITRD program, including a strategic planning and review process and improving collaboration between federal, private and educational entities. It will benefit Illinois companies and universities that use advanced information technologies, such as Caterpillar, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Western Illinois University.
“I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. LaHood, for taking the initiative on this innovation bill," House Science, Space, and Technology Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) said. "This taxpayer-funded basic research is intended to ensure that the United States remains the global leader in high-end computing and networking, which is crucial to our future economic and national security. Advanced networking and information technology supports and boosts American discovery and innovation, enhances national security, improves our international competitiveness, expands the U.S. economy, and creates millions of jobs.”
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