WASHINGTON – Today the House of Representatives approved H.R. 6227, the National Quantum Initiative Act by a vote of 348-11. The bill is now on its way to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
The legislation is co-sponsored by Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas). S. 3143, the Senate companion bill, was introduced by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-Fla.). Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) authored new Department of Energy provisions within the Senate bill.
Chairman Smith:
“The National Quantum Initiative Act leverages the resources and expertise of U.S. government, industry, and academia to create a unified national quantum strategy that ensures the U.S. continues breakthroughs in Quantum Information Science (QIS).
As other countries have launched their own quantum initiatives, it is crucial the United States leads this field. Quantum computing is critical to our economic and national security.”
The National Quantum Initiative Act:
- Forms a 10-year federal program to advance quantum science development and technology applications in the United States
- Establishes a National Quantum Coordination Office within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to oversee interagency coordination, provide strategic planning support, serve as a central point of contact for stakeholders, conduct outreach, and promote commercialization of federal research by the private sector
- Supports basic QIS research and standards development at the National Institute for Standards and Technology, support Energy Department basic research and establish Energy Department national research centers, and support National Science Foundation basic research and academic multidisciplinary quantum research and education centers
- Encourages U.S. high-tech companies, which are investing heavily in quantum research, and a wave of quantum technology start-ups, to contribute their knowledge and resources to a national effort
- Addresses fundamental research gaps, create a stronger workforce pipeline, and take the lead in developing quantum standards and measures for global use and thereby give U.S. companies and workers an enduring competitive advantage
Chairman Smith:
“The National Quantum Initiative Act is a groundbreaking piece of legislation. Countries that harness the power of quantum technology will revolutionize conventional computing systems. The enactment of H.R. 6227 ensures the United States continues its leadership in this innovative field. I thank Ranking Member Johnson, Sen. Thune, Sen. Nelson, Sen. Murkowski, and Sen. Cantwell for their hard work and support and the Administration’s commitment to making this bill law. Today we have made a quantum leap into the future.”
Michael Kratsios, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Deputy Assistant to the President for Technology Policy:
“Today’s bipartisan passage of the National Quantum Initiative Act is an important step towards accelerating next-generation quantum science technology here in America. It’s critical the United States, guided by American values and powered by the American workforce, drives quantum innovation and discovery on the world stage. We thank Chairman Smith for his leadership and commitment to harnessing the potential of quantum science to strengthen our economy and national security. The Administration looks forward to building upon our shared efforts to support a quantum-ready workforce and engage with government, academic, and private sector leaders to advance this emerging field.”
The full text of the bill can be found here.
A list of support for the bill can be found here.