The Daily Scoop Podcast

Episode Title: Trump admin sets $75.7B topline civilian IT budget for 2027
Host: Billy Mitchell
Date: April 7, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of The Daily Scoop Podcast centers on the Trump administration's proposal of a $75.7 billion top-line civilian IT budget for fiscal year 2027, examining implications for federal agencies, with deep dives into individual department allocations and ongoing funding strategies for the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF). Host Billy Mitchell breaks down the numbers, discusses shifts in priorities, and outlines upcoming legislative hurdles for key technology modernization initiatives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Overview of the 2027 Civilian IT Budget

[00:25–01:50]

• The White House proposes a $75.7B civilian IT budget for 2027, a significant increase over $67.9B in 2026 and a slight rise over $75.1B in 2025.
• Host Billy Mitchell emphasizes that this is the starting point for deliberations in Congress:
  • “The proposal...is just a starting point for haggling in Congress over what will ultimately be spent.” (Billy Mitchell, 00:35)

Notable Numbers:

• Department of Defense's IT budget (not included in this topline) was $66.1B in 2026.

2. Cybersecurity Funding Shift

[01:50–02:20]

• Despite the overall IT budget increase, civilian agency funding for cybersecurity is proposed to decrease from $12.5B in 2026 to $12.2B in 2027.
  • “OMB’s budget request calls for a small decrease in funding for cybersecurity across all civilian agencies.” (Billy Mitchell, 01:57)
• Coincides with a $707M cut to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

3. Departmental IT Investments & Priorities

[02:20–03:25]

• Largest Allocations:

  • Veterans Affairs (VA): $12.2B (additional $800M for electronic health record modernization, EHRM)
  • Homeland Security (DHS): $11.7B
  • Health and Human Services (HHS): $9.5B

• Veterans Affairs Wins:

  • VA’s EHRM project receives renewed funding and an $800M annual increase.
  • The administration contrasts these investments with prior slowdowns under Biden.
    • “The much beleaguered EHRM initiative received a big boost in Trump’s fiscal 2026 budget... the summary document takes a shot at the stalled effort under the Biden administration.” (Billy Mitchell, 02:52)

• Homeland Security Details:

  • Advanced border security tech is included as part of a broader $190B DHS package through the "Working Families Tax Cut."
  • Specific investments:
    • $136M to Customs and Border Protection for automated commercial environment.
    • $322M for counter-drug technologies.
    • $1.2B for protective and enhanced operations at the Secret Service.

4. Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) Funding Mechanism

[03:25–04:35]

• The General Services Administration (GSA) is pushing to continue using unobligated appropriations from other agencies for TMF projects.
  • GSA aims to collect $100M in unspent funds to supplement TMF.
  • This proposal refines prior (2026) legislation to limit pools to funds that are “no longer available” to other agencies, dropping language for currently available funding.
    • “This provision is essential to providing the TMF with necessary funds to help the federal government address critical technology challenges...” (Billy Mitchell quoting GSA, 04:20)

5. TMF Authorization and Legislative Challenges

[04:35–05:10]

• TMF’s future depends on reauthorization by September 30, 2026.
  • “This all of course, hinges on the TMF being authorized for 2027, another battle the administration and congressional supporters on the Hill will have to fight...” (Billy Mitchell, 04:45)
• GSA and OMB are working with Congress to extend TMF’s authorization for continued modernization work across government.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the budget’s role:

  • “The proposal...is just a starting point for haggling in Congress over what will ultimately be spent.” (Billy Mitchell, 00:35)

• On EHRM funding history:

  • “The much beleaguered EHRM initiative received a big boost in Trump’s fiscal 2026 budget request as well, and the summary document takes a shot at the stalled effort under the Biden administration.” (Billy Mitchell, 02:52)

• On TMF’s importance:

  • “This provision is essential to providing the TMF with necessary funds to help the federal government address critical technology challenges by modernizing high priority systems, improving AI adoption, and supporting cross government collaboration and scalable services.” (GSA, quoted by Billy Mitchell, 04:20)

• On legislative uncertainty:

  • “This all of course, hinges on the TMF being authorized for 2027, another battle the administration and congressional supporters on the Hill will have to fight and win before the fund’s current authorization expires September 30th.” (Billy Mitchell, 04:45)

Key Segment Timestamps

• 00:25 — Introduction of the 2027 IT budget proposal
• 01:50 — Cybersecurity funding changes and CISA cut
• 02:20 — Department-level IT allocations (VA, DHS, HHS)
• 02:50 — Boost for electronic health record modernization at VA
• 03:25 — DHS investments in border security, counter-drug, and Secret Service
• 03:55 — GSA’s plan for TMF funding through unobligated funds
• 04:30 — Legislative details and TMF’s continued authorization battle

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive look at the Trump administration’s proposed IT funding priorities for 2027, emphasizing a return to higher civilian agency spending, major departmental investments, and ongoing struggles to fund technology modernization in creative ways amid congressional uncertainty. These developments are pivotal for agency leaders and stakeholders focused on federal technology’s future, digital transformation, and IT innovation across the government.