Dick Lugar: “At no point during deliberations with the Department of Agriculture was it ever envisioned the transfer of information…”

“At no point during deliberations with the Department of Agriculture was it ever envisioned the transfer of information technology funds would cause reductions in force or furloughs. In fact, great care was taken early in the process to exclude salaries and expenses and intergovernmental payments from the calculations used to determine the amount necessary to adequately fund the development of an information technology architecture. This legislation does not authorize reductions in force or furloughs. The information technology architecture includes telecommunications, service center implementation, and site licenses for computer software and hardware. As introduced, the bill required a transfer of 5 percent of the information technology funds from each office and agency to the Chief Information Officer. Five percent of those funds represented approximately $40 million. Further negotiations with the department resulted in a revision in the bill that permits the Secretary to transfer up to 10 percent of the information technology funds. This amendment gives the Secretary the flexibility he requested to adjust transfers commensurate with the information technology architecture needs of each office and agency. This transfer authority terminates on September 30, 2003. I hope this addresses the Senator's concerns.”