[Pages H58-H62]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

FEDERAL RISK AND AUTHORIZATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION ACT OF
2021

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend
the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 21) to enhance the innovation,
security, and availability of cloud computing products and services
used in the Federal Government by establishing the Federal Risk and
Authorization Management Program within the General Services
Administration and by establishing a risk management, authorization,
and continuous monitoring process to enable the Federal Government to
leverage cloud computing products and services using a risk-based
approach consistent with the Federal Information Security Modernization
Act of 2014 and cloud-based operations, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 21

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Risk and
Authorization Management Program Authorization Act of 2021''
or the ``FedRAMP Authorization Act''.

SEC. 2. CODIFICATION OF THE FEDRAMP PROGRAM.

(a) Amendment.--Chapter 36 of title 44, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following new sections:

``Sec. 3607. Federal Risk and Authorization Management
Program

``(a) Establishment.--There is established within the
General Services Administration the Federal Risk and
Authorization Management Program. The Administrator of
General Services, in accordance with section 3612, shall
establish a governmentwide program that provides the
authoritative standardized approach to security assessment
and authorization for cloud computing products and services
that process unclassified information used by agencies.
``(b) Components of FedRAMP.--The Joint Authorization Board
and the FedRAMP Program Management Office are established as
components of FedRAMP.

``Sec. 3608. FedRAMP Program Management Office

``(a) GSA Duties.--
``(1) Roles and responsibilities.--The Administrator of
General Services shall--
``(A) determine the categories and characteristics of cloud
computing products and services that are within the
jurisdiction of FedRAMP and that require a FedRAMP
authorization or a FedRAMP provisional authorization;
``(B) develop, coordinate, and implement a process for the
FedRAMP Program Management Office, the Joint Authorization
Board, and agencies to review security assessments of cloud
computing products and services pursuant to subsections (b)
and (c) of section 3611, and appropriate oversight of
continuous monitoring of cloud computing products and
services; and
``(C) ensure the continuous improvement of FedRAMP.
``(2) Implementation.--The Administrator shall oversee the
implementation of FedRAMP, including--
``(A) appointing a Program Director to oversee the FedRAMP
Program Management Office;
``(B) hiring professional staff as may be necessary for the
effective operation of the FedRAMP Program Management Office,
and such other activities as are essential to properly
perform critical functions;
``(C) entering into interagency agreements to detail
personnel on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis to
assist the FedRAMP Program Management Office and the Joint
Authorization Board in discharging the responsibilities of
the Office under this section; and
``(D) such other actions as the Administrator may determine
necessary to carry out this section.
``(b) Duties.--The FedRAMP Program Management Office shall
have the following duties:
``(1) Provide guidance to independent assessment
organizations, validate the independent assessments, and
apply the requirements and guidelines adopted in section
3609(c)(5).
``(2) Oversee and issue guidelines regarding the necessary
requirements for accreditation of third-party organizations
seeking to be awarded accreditation as independent assessment
organizations, including qualifications, roles, and
responsibilities of independent assessment organizations.
``(3) Develop templates and other materials to support the
Joint Authorization Board and agencies in the authorization
of cloud computing products and services to increase the
speed, effectiveness, and transparency of the authorization
process, consistent with standards defined by the National
Institute of Standards and Technology.
``(4) Establish and maintain a public comment process for
proposed guidance before the issuance of such guidance by
FedRAMP.
``(5) Review any authorization to operate issued by an
agency to determine if the authorization meets the
requirements and guidelines adopted in section 3609(c)(5).
``(6) Establish frameworks for agencies to use
authorization packages processed by the FedRAMP Program
Management Office and Joint Authorization Board.
``(7) Coordinate with the Secretary of Defense and the
Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a framework for
continuous monitoring under section 3553 and agency reports
required under section 3554.
``(8) Establish a centralized and secure repository to
collect and share necessary data, including security
authorization packages, from the Joint Authorization Board
and agencies to enable better sharing and reuse of such
packages across agencies.
``(c) Evaluation of Automation Procedures.--
``(1) In general.--The FedRAMP Program Management Office
shall assess and evaluate available automation capabilities
and procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
the issuance of FedRAMP authorizations and FedRAMP
provisional authorizations, including continuous monitoring
of cloud computing products and services.
``(2) Means for automation.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of the enactment of this section, and updated
annually thereafter, the FedRAMP Program Management Office
shall establish a means for the automation of security
assessments and reviews.
``(d) Metrics for Authorization.--The FedRAMP Program
Management Office shall establish annual metrics regarding
the time and quality of the assessments necessary for
completion of a FedRAMP authorization process in a manner
that can be consistently tracked over time in conjunction
with the periodic testing and evaluation process pursuant to
section 3554 in a manner that minimizes the agency reporting
burden.

``Sec. 3609. Joint Authorization Board

``(a) Establishment.--The Joint Authorization Board shall
consist of cloud computing experts, appointed by the Director
in consultation with the Administrator, from each of the
following:
``(1) The Department of Defense.
``(2) The Department of Homeland Security.
``(3) The General Services Administration.
``(4) Such other agencies as determined by the Director, in
consultation with the Administrator.
``(b) Issuance of FedRAMP Provisional Authorizations.--The
Joint Authorization Board shall conduct security assessments
of cloud computing products and services and issue FedRAMP
provisional authorizations to cloud service providers that
meet the requirements and guidelines established in
subsection (c)(5).
``(c) Duties.--The Joint Authorization Board shall--
``(1) develop and make publicly available on a website,
determined by the Administrator, criteria for prioritizing
and selecting cloud computing products and services to be
assessed by the Joint Authorization Board;
``(2) provide regular updates to applicant cloud service
providers on the status of any cloud computing product or
service during the assessment and authorization process of
the Joint Authorization Board;
``(3) review and validate cloud computing products and
services and materials submitted by independent assessment
organizations or any documentation determined to be necessary
by the Joint Authorization Board to evaluate the system
security of a cloud computing product or service;
``(4) in consultation with the FedRAMP Program Management
Office, serve as a resource for best practices to accelerate
the process for obtaining a FedRAMP authorization or FedRAMP
provisional authorization;
``(5) establish requirements and guidelines for security
assessments of cloud computing products and services,
consistent with standards defined by the National Institute
of Standards and Technology, to be used by the Joint
Authorization Board and agencies;
``(6) perform such other roles and responsibilities as the
Administrator may assign, in consultation with the FedRAMP
Program Management Office and members of the Joint
Authorization Board; and
``(7) establish metrics and goals for reviews and
activities associated with issuing FedRAMP provisional
authorizations and provide to the FedRAMP Program Management
Office.
``(d) Determinations of Demand for Cloud Computing Products
and Services.--The Joint Authorization Board shall consult
with the Chief Information Officers Council established in
section 3603 to establish a process, that shall be made
available on a public website, for prioritizing and accepting
the cloud computing products and services to be granted a
FedRAMP provisional authorization.
``(e) Detail of Personnel.--To assist the Joint
Authorization Board in discharging the responsibilities under
this section, personnel of agencies may be detailed to the
Joint Authorization Board for the performance of duties
described under subsection (c).

``Sec. 3610. Independent assessment organizations

``(a) Requirements for Accreditation.--The Joint
Authorization Board shall determine the requirements for the
accreditation of a third-party organization seeking to be
accredited as an independent assessment organization,
ensuring adequate implementation of section 3609. Such
requirements may

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include developing or requiring certification programs for
individuals employed by the third-party organization seeking
accreditation. The Program Director of the FedRAMP Program
Management Office shall accredit any third-party organization
that meets the requirements for accreditation.
``(b) Assessment.--An independent assessment organization
may assess, validate, and attest to the quality and
compliance of security assessment materials provided by cloud
service providers as part of the FedRAMP authorization or the
FedRAMP provisional authorization process.

``Sec. 3611. Roles and responsibilities of agencies

``(a) In General.--In implementing the requirements of
FedRAMP, the head of each agency shall, consistent with
guidance issued by the Director pursuant to section 3612--
``(1) create policies to ensure cloud computing products
and services used by the agency meet FedRAMP security
requirements and other risk-based performance requirements as
defined by the Director;
``(2) issue agency-specific authorizations to operate for
cloud computing services in compliance with section 3554;
``(3) confirm whether there is a FedRAMP authorization or
FedRAMP provisional authorization in the cloud security
repository established under section 3608(b)(8) before
beginning the process to award a FedRAMP authorization or a
FedRAMP provisional authorization for a cloud computing
product or service;
``(4) to the extent practicable, for any cloud computing
product or service the agency seeks to authorize that has
received a FedRAMP authorization or FedRAMP provisional
authorization, use the existing assessments of security
controls and materials within the authorization package; and
``(5) provide data and information required to the Director
pursuant to section 3612 to determine how agencies are
meeting metrics as defined by the FedRAMP Program Management
Office.
``(b) Submission of Policies Required.--Not later than 6
months after the date of the enactment of this section, the
head of each agency shall submit to the Director the policies
created pursuant to subsection (a)(1) for review and
approval.
``(c) Submission of Authorizations To Operate Required.--
Upon issuance of an agency authorization to operate, the head
of the agency shall provide a copy of the authorization to
operate letter and any supplementary information required
pursuant to section 3608(b) to the FedRAMP Program Management
Office.
``(d) Presumption of Adequacy.--
``(1) In general.--The assessment of security controls and
materials within the authorization package for a FedRAMP
authorization or FedRAMP provisional authorization shall be
presumed adequate for use in an agency authorization to
operate cloud computing products and services.
``(2) Information security requirements.--The presumption
under paragraph (1) does not modify or alter the
responsibility of any agency to ensure compliance with
subchapter II of chapter 35 for any cloud computing products
or services used by the agency.

``Sec. 3612. Roles and responsibilities of the Office of
Management and Budget

``The Director shall have the following duties:
``(1) Issue guidance to ensure that an agency does not
operate a Federal Government cloud computing product or
service using Government data without an authorization to
operate issued by the agency that meets the requirements of
subchapter II of chapter 35 and the FedRAMP authorization or
FedRAMP provisional authorization.
``(2) Ensure agencies are in compliance with any guidance
or other requirements issued related to FedRAMP.
``(3) Review, analyze, and update guidance on the adoption,
security, and use of cloud computing services used by
agencies.
``(4) Ensure the Joint Authorization Board is in compliance
with section 3609(c).
``(5) Adjudicate disagreements between the Joint
Authorization Board and cloud service providers seeking a
FedRAMP provisional authorization.
``(6) Promulgate regulations on the role of FedRAMP
authorizations and FedRAMP provisional authorizations in
agency acquisition of cloud computing products and services
that process unclassified information.

``Sec. 3613. Authorization of appropriations for FEDRAMP

``There is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 each
year for the FedRAMP Program Management Office and the Joint
Authorization Board.

``Sec. 3614. Reports to Congress; GAO Report

``(a) Reports to Congress.--Not later than 12 months after
the date of the enactment of this section, and annually
thereafter, the Director shall submit to the Committee on
Oversight and Reform of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of
the Senate a report that includes the following:
``(1) The status, efficiency, and effectiveness of FedRAMP
Program Management Office and agencies during the preceding
year in supporting the speed, effectiveness, sharing, reuse,
and security of authorizations to operate for cloud computing
products and services, including progress towards meeting the
metrics adopted by the FedRAMP Program Management Office
pursuant to section 3608(d) and the Joint Authorization Board
pursuant to section 3609(c)(5).
``(2) Data on FedRAMP authorizations and FedRAMP
provisional authorizations.
``(3) The average length of time for the Joint
Authorization Board to review applications for and issue
FedRAMP provisional authorizations.
``(4) The average length of time for the FedRAMP Program
Management Office to review authorizations to operate.
``(5) The number of FedRAMP authorizations and FedRAMP
provisional authorizations issued for the previous year.
``(6) A review of progress made during the preceding year
in advancing automation techniques to securely automate
FedRAMP processes and to accelerate reporting as described in
this section.
``(7) The number and characteristics of authorized cloud
computing products and services in use at each agency
consistent with guidance provided by the Director in section
3612.
``(8) The cost incurred by agencies and cloud service
providers related to the issuance of FedRAMP authorizations
and FedRAMP provisional authorizations, including information
responsive to the report required in subsection (b).
``(b) GAO Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date
of the enactment of this section, the Comptroller General of
the United States shall publish a report that includes an
assessment of the cost incurred by agencies and cloud service
providers related to the issuance of FedRAMP authorizations
and FedRAMP provisional authorizations.

``Sec. 3615. Federal Secure Cloud Advisory Committee

``(a) Establishment, Purposes, and Duties.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established a Federal Secure
Cloud Advisory Committee (referred to in this section as the
`Committee') to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of
agency adoption, use, authorization, monitoring, acquisition,
and security of cloud computing products and services to
enable agency mission and administrative priorities.
``(2) Purposes.--The purposes of the Committee are the
following:
``(A) To examine the operations of FedRAMP and determine
ways that authorization processes can continuously be
improved, including the following:
``(i) Measures to increase agency re-use of FedRAMP
provisional authorizations.
``(ii) Proposed actions that can be adopted to reduce the
cost of FedRAMP authorizations and FedRAMP provisional
authorizations for cloud service providers.
``(iii) Measures to increase the number of FedRAMP
authorizations and FedRAMP provisional authorizations for
cloud computing services offered by small businesses (as
defined by section 3(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
632(a)).
``(B) Collect information and feedback on agency compliance
with and implementation of FedRAMP requirements.
``(C) Serve as a forum that facilitates communication and
collaboration among the FedRAMP stakeholder community.
``(3) Duties.--The duties of the Committee are, at a
minimum, to provide advice and recommendations to the
Administrator, the Joint Authorization Board, and to agencies
on technical, financial, programmatic, and operational
matters regarding secure adoption of cloud computing products
and services.
``(b) Members.--
``(1) Composition.--The Committee shall be comprised of not
more than 15 members who are qualified representatives from
the public and private sectors, appointed by the
Administrator, in consultation with the Administrator of the
Office of Electronic Government, as follows:
``(A) The Administrator or the Administrator's designee,
who shall be the Chair of the Committee.
``(B) At least one representative each from the
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the
National Institute of Standards and Technology.
``(C) At least two officials who serve as the Chief
Information Security Officer within an agency, who shall be
required to maintain such a position throughout the duration
of their service on the Committee.
``(D) At least one official serving as Chief Procurement
Officer (or equivalent) in an agency, who shall be required
to maintain such a position throughout the duration of their
service on the Committee.
``(E) At least one individual representing an independent
assessment organization.
``(F) No fewer than five representatives from unique
businesses that primarily provide cloud computing services or
products, including at least two representatives from a small
business (as defined by section 3(a) of the Small Business
Act (15 U.S.C. 632(a))).
``(G) At least two other Government representatives as the
Administrator determines to be necessary to provide
sufficient balance, insights, or expertise to the Committee.
``(2) Deadline for appointment.--Each member of the
Committee shall be appointed not later than 30 days after the
date of the enactment of this section.
``(3) Period of appointment; vacancies.--
``(A) In general.--Each non-Federal member of the Committee
shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, except that the
initial terms for members may be staggered 1-, 2-,

[[Page H60]]

or 3-year terms to establish a rotation in which one-third of
the members are selected each year. Any such member may be
appointed for not more than 2 consecutive terms.
``(B) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Committee shall not
affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner in
which the original appointment was made. Any member appointed
to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term
for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall be
appointed only for the remainder of that term. A member may
serve after the expiration of that member's term until a
successor has taken office.
``(c) Meetings and Rules of Procedures.--
``(1) Meetings.--The Committee shall hold not fewer than
three meetings in a calendar year, at such time and place as
determined by the Chair.
``(2) Initial meeting.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of the enactment of this section, the Committee shall
meet and begin the operations of the Committee.
``(3) Rules of procedure.--The Committee may establish
rules for the conduct of the business of the Committee, if
such rules are not inconsistent with this section or other
applicable law.
``(d) Employee Status.--
``(1) In general.--A member of the Committee (other than a
member who is appointed to the Committee in connection with
another Federal appointment) shall not be considered an
employee of the Federal Government by reason of any service
as such a member, except for the purposes of section 5703 of
title 5, relating to travel expenses.
``(2) Pay not permitted.--A member of the Committee covered
by paragraph (1) may not receive pay by reason of service on
the Committee.
``(e) Applicability to the Federal Advisory Committee
Act.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Committee.
``(f) Hearings and Evidence.--The Committee, or on the
authority of the Committee, any subcommittee, may, for the
purposes of carrying out this section, hold hearings, sit and
act at such times and places, take testimony, receive
evidence, and administer oaths.
``(g) Contracting.--The Committee, may, to such extent and
in such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts, enter
into contracts to enable the Committee to discharge its
duties under this section.
``(h) Information From Federal Agencies.--
``(1) In general.--The Committee is authorized to secure
directly from any executive department, bureau, agency,
board, commission, office, independent establishment, or
instrumentality of the Government, information, suggestions,
estimates, and statistics for the purposes of the Committee.
Each department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office,
independent establishment, or instrumentality shall, to the
extent authorized by law, furnish such information,
suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the
Committee, upon request made by the Chair, the Chair of any
subcommittee created by a majority of the Committee, or any
member designated by a majority of the Committee.
``(2) Receipt, handling, storage, and dissemination.--
Information may only be received, handled, stored, and
disseminated by members of the Committee and its staff
consistent with all applicable statutes, regulations, and
Executive orders.
``(i) Detail of Employees.--Any Federal Government employee
may be detailed to the Committee without reimbursement from
the Committee, and such detailee shall retain the rights,
status, and privileges of his or her regular employment
without interruption.
``(j) Postal Services.--The Committee may use the United
States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions
as agencies.
``(k) Expert and Consultant Services.--The Committee is
authorized to procure the services of experts and consultants
in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, but at rates not
to exceed the daily rate paid a person occupying a position
at Level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of
title 5.
``(l) Reports.--
``(1) Interim reports.--The Committee may submit to the
Administrator and Congress interim reports containing such
findings, conclusions, and recommendations as have been
agreed to by the Committee.
``(2) Annual reports.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of the enactment of this section, and annually
thereafter, the Committee shall submit to the Administrator
and Congress a final report containing such findings,
conclusions, and recommendations as have been agreed to by
the Committee.

``Sec. 3616. Definitions

``(a) In General.--Except as provided under subsection (b),
the definitions under sections 3502 and 3552 apply to
sections 3607 through this section.
``(b) Additional Definitions.--In sections 3607 through
this section:
``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the
Administrator of General Services.
``(2) Authorization package.--The term `authorization
package'--
``(A) means the essential information used to determine
whether to authorize the operation of an information system
or the use of a designated set of common controls; and
``(B) at a minimum, includes the information system
security plan, privacy plan, security control assessment,
privacy control assessment, and any relevant plans of action
and milestones.
``(3) Cloud computing.--The term `cloud computing' has the
meaning given that term by the National Institutes of
Standards and Technology in NIST Special Publication 800-145
and any amendatory or superseding document thereto.
``(4) Cloud service provider.--The term `cloud service
provider' means an entity offering cloud computing products
or services to agencies.
``(5) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of
the Office of Management and Budget.
``(6) FedRAMP.--The term `FedRAMP' means the Federal Risk
and Authorization Management Program established under
section 3607(a).
``(7) FedRAMP authorization.--The term `FedRAMP
authorization' means a certification that a cloud computing
product or service received from an agency that provides an
authorization to operate and the FedRAMP Program Management
Office has determined the product or service has completed
the FedRAMP authorization process.
``(8) FedRAMP program management office.--The term `FedRAMP
Program Management Office' means the office that administers
FedRAMP established under section 3607(b).
``(9) FedRAMP provisional authorization.--The term `FedRAMP
provisional authorization' means a certification that a cloud
computing product or service has received from the Joint
Authorization Board that approves a provisional authorization
to operate.
``(10) Independent assessment organization.--The term
`independent assessment organization' means a third-party
organization accredited by the Program Director of the
FedRAMP Program Management Office to undertake conformity
assessments of cloud service providers and their products or
services.
``(11) Joint authorization board.--The term `Joint
Authorization Board' means the Joint Authorization Board
established under section 3607(b).''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of
sections for chapter 36 of title 44, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new items:

``3607. Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program.
``3608. FedRAMP Program Management Office.
``3609. Joint Authorization Board.
``3610. Independent assessment organizations.
``3611. Roles and responsibilities of agencies.
``3612. Roles and responsibilities of the Office of Management and
Budget.
``3613. Authorization of appropriations for FEDRAMP.
``3614. Reports to Congress.
``3615. Federal Secure Cloud Advisory Committee.
``3616. Definitions.''.

(c) Sunset.--This Act and any amendment made by this Act
shall be repealed on the date that is 10 years after the date
of the enactment of this Act.
(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act or any
amendment made by this Act shall be construed as altering or
impairing the authorities of the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget or the Secretary of Homeland Security
under subchapter II of chapter 35 of title 44, United States
Code.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney) and the gentleman from Alabama (Mr.
Palmer) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.

General Leave

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise
and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure
before us.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
I thank Representatives Connolly and Comer for working on this
important bipartisan issue.
A version of this bill passed the House in the last Congress, and it
has been improved after receiving technical assistance from the General
Services Administration. The Federal Risk and Authorization Management
Program Authorization Act would codify and improve the existing FedRAMP
in the General Services Administration.
First established in 2011, FedRAMP is an important program that
certifies cloud service providers who wish to offer services and
products to the Federal Government.
The FedRAMP certification process outlined in this bill is
comprehensive,

[[Page H61]]

facilitates easier agency adoption, promotes agency reuse, and
encourages savings. The FedRAMP process uses a risk-based approach to
ensure the reliability of any cloud platform that hosts unclassified
government data.
A significant provision of this bill is the Federal Secure Cloud
Advisory Committee. This committee would be tasked with key
responsibilities, including providing technical expertise on cloud
products and services and identifying ways to reduce costs associated
with FedRAMP certification.
The Director of the Office of Management and Budget would be required
to issue regulations pertaining to FedRAMP and would ensure that
agencies are not using cloud service providers without authorizations.
This bill supports a critical effort to keep our Nation's information
secure in cloud environments.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. PALMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 21, the FedRAMP Authorization
Act, introduced by my distinguished colleague and friend,
Representative Gerry Connolly.
Cybersecurity and technology modernization are both vital issues to
ensure this government runs efficiently and effectively. This is even
clearer in light of the unprecedented recent cyberattack that
compromised both the private and public sectors' critical information
systems. Congress must work to further the Federal Government's
cybersecurity while moving Federal agencies to more modern solutions,
which will help keep our public data safe and provide improved services
to our Nation's citizens.
The Federal Risk and Authorization Program, or FedRAMP, is the main
Federal program focused on helping agencies procure secure cloud
computing services. The FedRAMP provides a consistent process for
agencies to procure modern cloud systems in accordance with established
Federal cybersecurity standards. Recent Federal policies make the focus
on securing cloud services especially important.
With both the Cloud First initiative in 2011 and the Cloud Smart
initiative from President Trump's administration, the government
continues to focus on adopting modern, cost-effective cloud technology
solutions.
The Federal Government is plagued by reoccurring problems in
information technology, such as low asset utilization, duplicative
systems, and fragmented resources. Shifting to the cloud provides for
improved asset utilization, increased innovation, and more agile and
responsive technology capabilities. These improved efficiencies have
led to significant cost savings.
In fiscal year 2018, the government spent roughly $6.5 billion on
cloud computing, with 84 percent coming from FedRAMP authorized cloud
computing providers.
The centralized security authorization process offered by the FedRAMP
program has saved agencies over $250 million in cost avoidance,
according to the General Services Administration.
Recognizing these cost benefits, this legislation aims to increase
the Federal Government's use of the consistent, centrally managed cloud
computing security authorizations provided by the FedRAMP program.
Codifying this successful program into law is an important step towards
encouraging Federal agencies to take full advantage of this program and
all the security benefits that it offers.
Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my colleague, Representative Connolly,
for introducing this bill. I urge my colleagues to support the bill,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes
to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).
Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chairwoman of
our committee for her graciousness in not only bringing this bill back
to the floor, but making it the first legislative bill we are going to
consider in the new Congress. I thank my good friend from New York. I
also thank my friend from Alabama for his gracious words and his
partnership on so many issues on our committee on a bipartisan basis.
I want to thank the majority leader for bringing this bill to the
floor. I also want to thank the ranking member of the full committee,
Mr. Comer; and the ranking member of our subcommittee, Mr. Hice, for
cosponsoring this bill, making it as bipartisan as we get.
H.R. 21, the FedRAMP Authorization Act, would finally provide a
statutory framework--which we currently lack--for the Federal Risk and
Authorization Management Program, FedRAMP.

FedRAMP is a standardized approach to certifying and assessing in an
ongoing manner the security of cloud computing technologies used across
the Federal Government. FedRAMP seeks to reduce the redundancies of
Federal cloud migration by creating a ``certify once, reuse many
times'' model for cloud products and services that provide cost-
effective, risk-based approach to cloud adoption. Enabling the
efficient and secure procurement of cloud computing technology is an
important part of Federal IT modernization efforts and essential to the
Federal Government's transition to a more virtual posture amid the
pandemic.
In the first 4 years of FedRAMP, the program authorized only 20 cloud
products. Today, there are 211 FedRAMP authorized cloud products that
Federal agencies can use and more than 240 cloud service providers
participating in FedRAMP, 30 percent of which are small businesses--
female-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned businesses. In fiscal
year 2020, FedRAMP saw a 50 percent increase in agencies reusing
authorized cloud products.
This bill already passed the House in the last Congress with
bipartisan support not once, but twice; once under suspension by voice
vote and once as an amendment to the House version of the National
Defense Authorization Act.
After incorporating technical assistance that the chairwoman
mentioned from the General Services Administration and other key
stakeholders, I rise again to offer the FedRAMP Authorization Act.
For nearly 4 years, we have worked with the Office of Management and
Budget, GSA, industry stakeholders, and our friends on both sides of
the aisle to make the needed improvements so FedRAMP can be codified in
law.
This bill is essential, and it will demonstrate a universal
commitment to FedRAMP and the accelerated adoption of secure cloud
computing technologies, a vital component of the broader Federal IT
modernization effort. And we know it is needed after the cyber hack,
probably led by the Russians, in the last few weeks.
The FedRAMP Authorization Act would codify the program and address
many of the concerns raised by industry and government stakeholders.
First, the bill reduces duplication of security assessments and other
obstacles to agency adoption of cloud products by establishing a
presumption of adequacy for cloud technologies that have received
FedRAMP certification. This is important so that companies are not
spending millions of dollars simply to get the same certification over
and over again.

{time} 1215

The bill would also facilitate agency reuse of cloud technologies
that have already received an authorization-to-operate by requiring
agencies to check a centralized and secure repository.
It requires that GSA work toward automating their processes, which
will lead to more standard security. It will establish a Federal secure
cloud advisory committee to ensure dialogue among GSA, agency
cybersecurity and procurement officials, and industry representatives
for effective and ongoing coordination.
Finally, it authorizes $20 million in annual appropriations for the
program, providing sufficient resources to increase the number of
secure cloud technologies available and to allow free and fair
competition, especially for our small and minority-owned businesses.
Mr. Speaker, I urge that the House act on this first bill on the
first day of our legislative activity. Again, I thank our distinguished
chairwoman for being so generous in bringing this bill up again.
Mr. PALMER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I am prepared to
close, and I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, protecting our public's valuable information by
improving the

[[Page H62]]

Federal Government's cybersecurity and adopting modern technology
should be a top priority of Congress.
I look forward to working together on issues like this that are in
the best interest of the Nation. I strongly urge my colleagues to
support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of
H.R. 21, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 21.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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