Washington, Jan 24 (IANS) Members of Congress from each events have raised sharp considerations that immigration insurance policies, workforce pipelines, and provide chain uncertainty are threatening the United States’ management in quantum science and expertise.
At a House Science, Space, and Technology Committee listening to, lawmakers warned that restrictions on worldwide college students and international expertise are weakening the quantum workforce at a time of intense world competitors.
“If the United States is not the destination of global quantum talent, then other nations certainly will be,” Rep. Zoe Lofgren stated, including that the nation wants every of its federal companies “to be fully staffed and resourced.”
Lofgren stated China’s investments have surged, noting: “In 2024, The Chinese Communist Party invested more than four times what the United States did in quantum R&D. And 2025, The CCP announced a $138 billion fund to support their public private partnerships in emerging technologies including quantum computing.”
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici echoed considerations concerning the quantum workforce pipeline. She warned that federal grant cuts and visa hurdles are dissuading international students. “If the United States is not the destination of global quantum talent, than other nations certainly will be,” she stated, urging that “doors of opportunity should be open to everyone who chooses to attend higher education.”
Bonamici cited particular workforce challenges to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s witness: “So, what specific workforce challenges pose the greatest threat to US, quantum leadership right now, and which of those can Congress most easily and rapidly address?” to which James Kushmerick responded, “So, … we need a whole of government effort to kind of increase the pipeline.”
Rep. Gabe Amo highlighted broader immigration and workforce considerations, together with staffing at federal science companies. He famous steep personnel losses: “From November 2024 to November 2025, there was a 29 per cent decrease in federal civilian employees at NSF, a 16 per cent decrease at federal civilian employees at NIST … Approximately one fifth of NASA federal employees agreed to leave an agency … under deferred resignation and early retirement.”
Amo then requested company leaders a direct query on foreign-born scientists: “Are foreign-born scientists an important part of the US quantum ecosystem?” NIST’s James Kushmerick stated “Yes, they are.” NSF’s Saul Gonzalez stated, “I think, yes, they are.” NASA’s Mark Clampin stated, “Yes, they are.” DOE’s Tanner Crowder stated, “Uh, a month ago, you heard from my boss who is an immigrant. And so, I would say yes, they are.”
Rep. Don Beyer additionally touched on expertise considerations with an open-ended query about quantum’s broader implications for expertise: “Do you see any hope about using quantum encryption to have a personal impact on Americans protecting their own data?” NSF’s Gonzalez responded, “My personal opinion is yes…”
Rep. Deborah Ross pressured the strategic significance of expertise pipelines from Ok-12 by superior research: “Quantum technologies promise to redefine the frontiers of innovation.”
Ross and different lawmakers resembling Rep. Andrea Salinas pressed witnesses about workforce improvement packages, particularly for college students and technicians. Salinas requested, “Could each of you tell me what specifically you are doing to recruit and retain quantum talent from across the country and across demographics?” Kushmerick replied, “We look across the whole country and we also welcome in foreign guest researchers when needed to help support this effort.”
Lawmakers additionally tied workforce fears to provide chain and price points. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann talked about home quantum networks in his district, noting how federal funding can “serve as a catalyst that allows regional quantum ecosystems … to grow faster, scale responsibly and deliver real economic and workforce development.”
Witnesses pressured that whereas US management stays sturdy, it’s fragile. NSF’s Gonzalez stated, “The US has the ability, the talent and the infrastructure to not simply maintain but to grow our leadership across all critical and emerging technologies.”
–IANS
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