A Federal Chief Technology Officer in the Obama Administration

Among the early hurdles for a yet-to-be-named federal chief technology officer will be negotiating domains of responsibilities, formal and informal, within the White House and with executive branch agencies that have overlapping missions. Congress may decide to provide a statutory foundation for a CTO, define the individual's roles and authorities, authorize and appropriate funds, provide for oversight, and address other aspects of the position. If Congress takes this route, questions may arise: What mission, duties, and authorities should the CTO have? Should a CTO serve as the chief CIO for the government as well as the lead champion for U.S. innovation? Should the CTO's appointment be subject to Senate confirmation? What is the relationship between the CTO and the existing CTOs and CIOs of individual agencies?