Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN-08) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) introduced the Improving Government Data-Driven Decisions Act.  This legislation would help encourage the use of data by the states to help guide decision making and improve the delivery of services to Americans.  

“As data plays an ever-growing role in our lives, government at all levels could improve efforts to use data – much of it that is already available – to help guide decisions and provide services.  For example, over the last decade Indiana has effectively used data-driven analytics and predictive models to help inform efforts to lower the infant mortality rate in our state.  The use of data to guide decisions will improve outcomes and help the government be a better steward of taxpayer dollars.  The Improving Government Data-Driven Decisions Act will help encourage our state governments to be more efficient, and better serve their citizens,” said Dr. Bucshon.

“In order to remain a global leader in research and development, we need to modernize our aging infrastructure for the 21^st century, including government technology infrastructure. I’m proud to join Rep. Bucshon in introducing this legislation that will enable state governments to operate more efficiently and effectively, and improve privacy and data security,” said Rep. Dingell.

States currently hold vast amounts of data that they use to offer services and allocate resources where they are most needed in areas ranging from increasing access to housing to ensuring access to quality healthcare. But much of this data is siloed within individual agencies and programs or is inefficiently used by the state due to antiquated data management systems and practices.

Currently, only 27 states have a Chief Data Officer to help coordinate, protect, and utilize data in improving the delivery of government services and functions. The Federal Government should be encouraging states to adopt innovative technologies and data management practices to help improve the services they offer to constituents and efficiently use taxpayer dollars.

Background

The Improving Government Data-Driven Decisions Act would:

• Direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a data infrastructure grant program.

• The program would award grants to states for data-sharing and analysis capacities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the programs and services they offer. Specifically, these awards would:
• Improve the information technology and data security of state systems.
• Improve data management, analytics, and adoption of artificial intelligence technologies. 
• Help protect the privacy of any individuals’ data they hold.

• The bill would authorize $41 million a year through Fiscal Year 2028 for the program to be awarded in grants to states.

Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. represents Indiana’s 8^th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives and is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.