2005 Federal Budget Includes $60 Billion For IT

President Bush's $2.4 trillion fiscal 2005 budget, released Monday, includes a proposal for the government to spend nearly $60 billion on computers, software, and technology-related services.

"Given the president's efforts to hold the line on nondefense funding, this budget request represents a significant investment in our science and technology infrastructure that would enable us to both win the war on terror and remain competitive around the world," Undersecretary of Technology Phillip Bond said in a prepared statement.

The money would go toward furthering the government's plans to research and implement information technology throughout a number of its agencies. The Commerce Department's technology budget, in particular, includes a proposal for $529.8 million, an increase of 5% from last year, to support two of the department's three technology administration agencies. This includes $521.5 million for the National Institute of Standards and Technology and $8.3 million for the Office of Technology Policy. The third agency, the National Technical Information Service, covers its operating costs through fees for its products and services.

In addition to the Commerce Department's request, the President's Office of Science and Technology Policy has requested $132 billion for basic research and development and $1 billion for nanotechnology.