Insider Brief
- Lawmakers are introducing the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, searching for to revive a lapsed federal framework for coordinating U.S. quantum analysis and coverage.
- The bipartisan invoice responds to rising considerations that future quantum computer systems may undermine present encryption methods, accelerating the necessity for post-quantum safety planning.
- The laws goals to offer continued funding and route for businesses akin to NIST and NSF as quantum expertise shifts from long-term analysis towards early deployment.
- Photo by Ian Hutchinson on Unsplash
PRESS RELEASE — U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Todd Young (R-Ind.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) immediately launched the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act to speed up quantum expertise improvement and real-world functions which might be important to U.S. nationwide safety and international financial competitiveness.
“From scientific breakthroughs in healthcare to clean energy solutions, quantum technology is a game-changer and federal investment is vital to accelerating the transition from basic science to quantum innovation and practical applications,” mentioned Sen. Cantwell. “The State of Washington, with its vibrant tech industry, national lab partnerships and a growing pipeline of quantum engineers and technicians, is poised to become ‘Quantum Valley.’ By investing in workforce development, promoting international cooperation with trusted allies and supporting resilient domestic supply chains, the National Quantum Initiative will position the United States to drive innovation, benefit from economic growth and create high-skilled jobs.”
“We need to ensure the United States has the talent and research capabilities required to lead the global tech competition and outcompete China,” mentioned Sen. Young. “Quantum technologies promise to dramatically transform every industry and sector of our economy and revolutionize our technological capabilities. The National Quantum Initiative strengthens the research and development investments and builds a strong workforce which plays a critical role in safeguarding America’s economic and national security. This legislation, which reauthorizes the NQI, is critical to ensuring American leadership in quantum technology.”
“In Illinois, we know that quantum computing is the future,” mentioned Sen. Durbin. “If we hope to push this field forward, we must invest in our quantum research centers and offer scientists the resources to advance computing, security, and connectivity. I’m joining my colleagues in support of the bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act to ensure that we continue leading the quantum revolution.”
“I’m proud to introduce the NQIA with Senator Todd Young. In the past several years, Montana has become a leader in quantum and photonics research,” mentioned Sen. Daines. “The industry supports our economy and provides hundreds of Montana jobs. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to ensure critical research programs continue so the U.S. remains at the forefront of cutting-edge technology.”
“Ensuring the U.S. is at the forefront of quantum research and development is crucial for national security and technological advancements,” mentioned Sen. Luján. “To strengthen U.S. leadership in quantum technology, I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act to boost quantum innovation nationwide. New Mexico is a leader in U.S. quantum research, and this legislation will help drive innovation in our state.”
“I’ve worked for years to reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative, and I’m pleased to join my colleagues in introducing a bill that will ensure America will dominate the global quantum race. Tennessee will play a critical role in ensuring we do not fall behind adversaries like Communist China,” mentioned Sen. Blackburn. “The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act would reauthorize quantum programs to advance innovative quantum research, protect our national security, and advance President Trump’s goal of American quantum supremacy.”
“Wisconsin has always been an engine for innovation – and I’m committed to ensuring that our state stays on the forefront of the up-and-coming industries that will create jobs and economic growth for the future,” mentioned Sen. Baldwin. “I’m proud to work with Republicans and Democrats to support the cutting-edge work in quantum computing being done at Wisconsin’s research universities and ensure our nation remains competitive on the global stage for the next generation.”
“Maintaining America’s leadership in technological innovation is non-negotiable for our national defense and economic growth,” mentioned Sen. Budd. “Quantum computing has transformative potential in finance, healthcare, secure communications, and other fields. We must continue to strategically invest in quantum research and development to ensure continued American security and prosperity well into the future.”
“Quantum technology is critical to national security and new jobs and innovation, which is why I have long fought to invest in the R&D, workforce, and supply chains required to maintain American leadership in this critical technology,” mentioned Sen. Schumer. “This legislation will provide the necessary, sustained federal investment to ensure that the quantum industry is made in America, not in China.”
“Alongside artificial intelligence, quantum technology has the potential to be one of the most consequential technologies of this generation,” mentioned Sen. Rounds. “As such, President Trump has identified quantum information science and technology dominance as a critical area for American leadership. The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act supports that priority.”
Since its enactment in 2018, the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) has helped to catalyze a quickly rising U.S. quantum ecosystem, supporting the emergence of dozens of venture-backed quantum startups and a broader nationwide trade spanning quantum computing, networking and sensing. Through NQI-aligned applications, researchers have produced hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and patents, and a brand new technology of quantum engineers has been skilled. Federal coordination underneath the Initiative has pushed billions of {dollars} in private and non-private funding, accelerating breakthroughs and strengthening U.S. management in quantum requirements and measurement science.
These outcomes clearly reveal that the Initiative has moved quantum from a fragmented analysis effort right into a nationally coordinated engine for innovation, commercialization, and competitiveness. But with out sustained federal funding and a transparent pathway past primary analysis, the United States dangers dropping technological management, weakening nationwide safety benefits, and ceding future financial progress to international rivals.
The bipartisan laws would advance the National Quantum Initiative throughout the total research-to-application spectrum, strengthening primary analysis whereas accelerating sensible functions and increasing the Initiative to incorporate the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) analysis initiatives, together with quantum satellite tv for pc communications and quantum sensing. The invoice would set up as much as three new National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) quantum facilities. It would create 5 new National Science Foundation (NSF) Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education, a quantum training and workforce hub and new quantum testbeds. These new facilities, hubs, and testbeds would offer the shared infrastructure wanted to scale quantum analysis, translate breakthroughs into functions, and practice the subsequent technology of quantum scientists and engineers.
The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act:
- Extends the National Quantum Initiative by 5 years to December 2034. Reauthorizes quantum analysis, training and improvement initiatives throughout NIST, NSF and NASA.
- Requires the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a global quantum cooperation technique to coordinate R&D actions with allies of the United States.
- Creates new prize challenges to speed up the event of quantum functions and algorithms by way of public-private collaboration.
- Directs the Secretary of Commerce to submit a plan to Congress to strengthen quantum provide chain resilience.
- Establishes as much as three new NIST quantum facilities to advance analysis in quantum sensing, measurement and engineering.
- Creates 5 new NSF Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education, a quantum workforce coordination hub and quantum testbeds.
- For the primary time, authorizes NASA quantum R&D actions together with quantum satellite tv for pc communications and quantum sensing analysis initiatives.
“The Quantum Industry Coalition applauds Senator Young and Senator Cantwell for introducing the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act. This vital legislation will help advance U.S. leadership in the critical fields of quantum computing, sensing, networking, and cryptography.” – Paul Stimers, Executive Director of the Quantum Industry Coalition (QIC’s letter of assist for the NQI Reauthorization is here.)
“The NQI is a critical component of the U.S. quantum ecosystem, providing a solid foundation of leading-edge research and creating a pipeline of relevantly educated talent. The NQI Reauthorization will further grow the US ecosystem by adding capacity to move basic research from lab to market and enhancing coordination and collaboration with the private sector and international partners. QED-C is excited to contribute and participate in accelerating progress toward a quantum-enabled economy.” – Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium
“Quantum computing is accelerating rapidly, and the time to act is now. The National Quantum Initiative has delivered important advances over the past five years, and IBM is proud to help lead that progress. But the pace of global innovation demands that we move even faster. Reauthorizing the NQI is essential to sustaining U.S. leadership in a technology that will transform industries, reshape scientific discovery, and unlock tremendous economic value. We urge Congress to quickly pass this measure and accelerate the research, workforce development, and public-private partnerships that will translate quantum innovation into real-world benefits for the American people.” – Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO, IBM
“Microsoft supports the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act as a vital step in maintaining U.S. leadership in quantum information science. This legislation plays a crucial role in driving innovation, cultivating a skilled quantum workforce, and fostering public-private partnerships. As quantum technologies advance, they offer transformative potential to address critical global challenges and accelerate scientific discovery. Microsoft is proud to contribute to the progress of quantum science and technology and advocates for the swift passage of this essential legislation to secure the United States’ position at the forefront of the quantum revolution.” – Fred Humphries, Corporate VP U.S. Government Affairs for Microsoft
“Google thanks Senators Young and Cantwell for introducing the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act. As a leader in the quantum computing field, Google Quantum AI views this legislation as a vital step for America’s technological future. Since 2018, the Initiative has secured U.S. quantum leadership through essential federal investment in R&D and the STEM workforce. By expanding its scope and adding focus on practical applications and public-private collaboration, this Act ensures the United States maintains its competitive edge. We are proud to partner with National Quantum Initiative centers and activities, and look forward to the economic and national security benefits this legislation will deliver.” – Hartmut Neven, Founder and Lead, Google Quantum AI
“IonQ thanks Senator Young and Senator Cantwell for their leadership and look forward to swift passage of the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act. We believe quantum technologies will positively transform the world economy and profoundly impact national security. This is both a historic and foundational Act to ensure the United States builds a sustainable global leadership position in quantum technologies.” – Niccolo de Masi, Chairman & CEO of IonQ
“Infleqtion applauds Senators Cantwell and Young for advancing the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act. Reauthorizing the NQI is important for U.S. national security and economic competitiveness and will improve the lives of all Americans. Quantum technologies will strengthen our nation’s critical infrastructure, boost U.S. manufacturing and jobs, and this legislation will help accelerate deployable quantum capabilities into real-world use and accelerate adoption at scale.” – Matt Kinsella, CEO of Infleqtion
“SEEQC is developing advanced quantum computing hardware based on a fully chip-based architecture designed for scalable, energy-efficient deployment and domestic manufacturability. Our approach enables quantum systems to be designed, fabricated, and integrated within the United States. Congress should reaffirm America’s commitment to leadership in this strategic industry. U.S. must maintain the lead as quantum computing transitions from research to deployment, directly influencing economic growth, national security, and the global standards governing next-generation computing systems. SEEQC strongly supports the bipartisan leadership of Senators Cantwell, Young, Daines, and Blackburn, and Sen. Schumer in advancing this legislation. This bill will help ensure that the United States leads not only in quantum discovery, but also in the domestic manufacturing and secure deployment of quantum computing systems.” – John Levy, CEO, Chair and Co-Founder, SEEQC
“Maintaining excellence in quantum science is critical for U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. We applaud Senators Young and Cantwell for advancing the National Quantum Initiative, which establishes a critical framework to accomplish this goal. Academic science and engineering research has been the seed corn for quantum innovation, and agencies like the National Science Foundation and others play a vital role in sustaining this work. This legislation will help ensure U.S. universities remain strong contributors to our national quantum goals, while also helping to educate the quantum workforce of the future.” – Barbara R. Snyder, President, Association of American Universities
“EeroQ is pleased to support the bipartisan reauthorization of the National Quantum Initiative Act because this legislation recognizes that small business will power the innovation needed for American dominance in quantum technologies.” – Nick Farina, CEO of EeroQ
“The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act is vital for advancing quantum science and technology and ensuring the United States remains a global leader in this field. At the University of Washington, this investment empowers us to train the next generation of quantum researchers, and strengthens our ability to innovate in quantum computing, communication, and materials.” – Dr. Kai-Mei Fu, Professor of Physics, Electrical Engineering on the University of Washington
Sens. Cantwell, Young, Durbin and Daines first launched S. 5411, the National Quantum Initiative Act, in December 2024. The National Quantum Initiative coordinates quantum analysis and improvement to advance the United States’ financial and nationwide safety. The authentic five-year authorization was signed into legislation in December 2018, and authorization of appropriations for sure R&D applications expired on September 30, 2023. Authorization for the complete National Quantum Initiative expires December 21, 2029.
Sen. Cantwell authored the DOE Quantum Information Science Act, which turned legislation as a part of the House National Quantum Initiative Act in December 2018. As the lead architect of the CHIPS & Science Act, Sen. Cantwell advocated for a number of quantum provisions and recognized quantum expertise as one of many ten key expertise focus areas. In February 2024, Sen. Cantwell spoke on the grand opening of the nation’s first quantum computing manufacturing facility at IonQ in Bothell, Wash., concerning the promise of the Pacific Northwest turning into the nation’s “Quantum Valley.”