Bipartisan legislation set for introduction this week would resurrect a federal quantum research program that expired in 2023.
Lawmakers are racing to maintain American competitiveness in a technology race with global implications.
Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., will unveil the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, which would commit $85 million annually over five years to advance quantum research and development across multiple federal agencies, according to Axios. The original National Quantum Initiative, designed to foster breakthroughs in quantum computing and related technologies, lapsed when Congress failed to renew it two years ago.
The legislation would restore and expand programs at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science Foundation, and NASA, while establishing new research centers within some agencies.
The bill also mandates coordination on the international stage, requiring OSTP to develop a strategy for global research partnerships and directing the Commerce Secretary to create a plan for strengthening domestic quantum supply chains.
“We need to ensure the United States has the talent and research capabilities required to lead the global tech competition and outcompete China,” Young said in a statement, framing the initiative as essential to national security and economic leadership.
Cantwell emphasized the broader economic benefits, noting that “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.”
The bill includes a provision directing the Government Accountability Office to examine regulatory barriers that may be preventing private companies and universities from fully participating in quantum research programs—a nod to concerns that bureaucratic obstacles are hampering innovation.
Industry leaders have thrown their support behind the measure. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna urged swift passage, stating that the legislation would “accelerate the research, workforce development, and public-private partnerships that will translate quantum innovation into real-world benefits for the American people.”
The timing mirrors growing momentum within the Trump administration for quantum technology investments. President Trump signed an executive order in November requiring the Energy Department to identify at least 20 scientific challenges addressable through the Genesis Mission program, with quantum applications among the priorities. The Office of Science and Technology Policy has also placed quantum research atop its funding priorities for fiscal year 2027.
Quantum technology promises revolutionary advances in computing power, cryptography, and sensing capabilities, with applications ranging from drug discovery to financial modeling — making American leadership in the field a matter of both economic opportunity and national security.
