Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.), member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, joined U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) in introducing the bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act to help maintain American leadership and competitiveness in the global technology race. The legislation would authorize five years of support for quantum research and development (R&D) funded through federal science agencies.
“Maintaining America’s leadership in technological innovation is non-negotiable for our national defense and economic growth. 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,” said Senator Budd.
“We need to ensure the United States has the talent and research capabilities required to lead the global tech competition and outcompete China. 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,” said Senator Young.
“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. 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,” said Senator Cantwell.
U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also co-sponsored the legislation.
Read the full bill text HERE.
BACKGROUND
The bill would reauthorize quantum R&D programs at the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Science Foundation (NSF), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to maintain U.S. leadership in the global race to advance quantum science and develop quantum applications.
Quantum computing has the potential to solve complex problems exponentially faster than existing computers. The technology could lead to breakthroughs in drug discovery, weather forecasting, financial and economic modeling, artificial intelligence, cryptography, and other innovations. Quantum sensing applications can provide more precise measurements critical for navigation and tracking, seismic monitoring, infrastructure monitoring, and geographical surveying.
The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act would:
- Extend the National Quantum Initiative by a full five years to December 2034.
- Require the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop an international quantum cooperation strategy to coordinate R&D activities with allies of the United States.
- Build on the work of the National Quantum Initiative to advance basic research and establish additional directives to develop practical quantum applications.
- Require each agency to develop metrics for monitoring and evaluating advancements in quantum information science and progress towards practical quantum applications and report to Congress.
- Create prize challenges to accelerate the development of quantum applications and algorithms through public-private collaboration.
- Authorize funds for NIST’s quantum research and consortium activities.
- Establish up to three new NIST quantum centers to advance research in quantum sensing, measurement, and engineering.
- Direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit a plan to strengthen quantum supply chain resilience.
- Create new NSF Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education, a quantum workforce coordination hub, and quantum testbeds.
- Authorize funds for NASA quantum R&D activities, including quantum satellite communications and quantum sensing research initiatives.
- Direct the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on reducing red tape and paperwork burden related to private sector and academic participation in National Quantum Initiative activities and centers.
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