Sessions' Bill Aimings to Fix GSA Security Issues Passes House Unanimously

Representative Pete Sessions’ (R-TX) bill, the GSA Technology Accountability Act has passed in the House unanimously. The bipartisan legislation aims to “implement oversight and transparency mechanisms into the General Services Administration's (GSA) management of taxpayer-funded technology projects.”

The GSA is a government entity that claims to provide services for federal agencies such as acquiring and building office spaces, products, and other workspace services, as well as preserving “historic federal properties.”

This action from Rep. Sessions was in response to the creation of Login.gov, a single-sign-on identity verification program that left government websites vulnerable to “fraudulent users and removed a critical barrier for criminals to improperly claim government benefits,” as the Texas congressman mentioned on the House floor.

Rep. Sessions would continue, “While we do not currently know the total amount of fraud that was committed because Login.gov did not provide adequate system security that it was required and stated that it was prepared to do. So, we do know that the American taxpayer was on the hook for hundreds of billions of dollars, up to $400 billion in fraud from various COVID relief programs. Each of these agencies – counting on the person that they were speaking to and in contact with, were the correct person. The central tactic used in this was identity theft. It was fraud.”

Furthermore, Rep. Sessions added later, "With the passage of the GSA Technology Accountability Act, we are looking to ensure accountability and effective use of taxpayer dollars," stated Congressman Sessions. "This legislation will safeguard against the misuse of government resources and improve the operational transparency of GSA projects. I am grateful for the support from both sides of the aisle for recognizing the need for this important legislation. The passage of H.R. 7524 is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together to improve government operations.”

The legislation will be sent to the Senate and then possibly to President Joe Biden’s (D) desk where he could sign it into law.