WASHINGTON – May 17, 2017 – BSA | The Software Alliance applauds Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member McCaskill for their swift action in passing the OPEN Government Data Act (S. 760) out of committee. The committee’s unanimous support for the bill reflects a growing consensus about the enormous untapped potential of government data that is currently walled off from public use. By making non-sensitive government data more open, available, and usable for the public, the OPEN Government Data Act will improve government transparency, promote government efficiency, propel job creation, support economic growth, and foster innovation of data-driven technologies such as artificial intelligence. BSA commends Senators Schatz and Sasse and Representatives Kilmer and Farenthold for introducing the OPEN Government Data Act, and looks forward to working with Senate and House leadership to secure its full passage.