U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) on Jan. 8 offered bipartisan legislation to authorize five years of support for quantum research and development (R&D) funded through federal science agencies.
“We need to ensure the United States has the talent and research capabilities required to lead the global tech competition and outcompete China,” Sen. Young said. “Quantum technologies promise to dramatically transform every industry and sector of our economy and revolutionize our technological capabilities.”
The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, S. 3597, which Sen. Young cosponsored alongside nine original cosponsors, including Sens. Daines, Rounds, and Blackburn, as well as U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), would reauthorize Sen. Daines’ 2018 National Quantum Initiative Act (NQIA) through 2034 to expand R&D programs for quantum and photonics.
“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,” added Sen. Young. “This legislation… is critical to ensuring American leadership in quantum technology.”
“I’m proud to introduce the NQIA with Sen. Todd Young,” Sen. Daines said. “In the past several years, Montana has become a leader in quantum and photonics research. 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.”
Specifically, the bill would reauthorize quantum R&D programs at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Science Foundation, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration toward maintaining U.S. leadership in the global race to advance quantum science and develop quantum applications.
Sen. Blackburn agreed that S. 3597 would ensure America’s dominance in the global quantum race.
“Tennessee will play a critical role in ensuring we do not fall behind adversaries like Communist China,” she said. “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.”
Sen. Rounds pointed out that alongside artificial intelligence, quantum technology has the potential to be one of the most consequential technologies of this generation.
“As such, President Trump has identified quantum information science and technology dominance as a critical area for American leadership,” said Sen. Rounds. “The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act supports that priority.”
The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act is supported by the University of Notre Dame, Indiana University, and Purdue University, among others.