Lawmakers Considering Quantum Legislation Reauthorization

Congress next week will hold the first quantum-related hearing to reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative Act, which could unify the government’s approach to quantum technologies, California Congressman and Chair of the House Subcommittee on Research and Technology Jay Obernolte said following his remarks at the Quantum Computing: Present and Future conference earlier this week.

The government has been focused in recent years on preparing systems for “Q-Day,” when quantum technology will become so advanced that it can crack current encryption methods and threaten the information systems that make up the nation’s digital services and critical infrastructure across sectors. Agencies have been told to migrate to post-quantum cryptography as a result.

The National Quantum Initiative Act is authorized until 2029, but a December 2024 reauthorization bill introduced in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation calls on extending that deadline to December 2034 and focusing efforts on development of practical applications for quantum.

Obernolte said that the act is overdue for reauthorization after it failed reauthorization last year, despite support from both sides of the aisle. Obernolte added that once more members understand the impact quantum has on national and economic security, it’s likely to receive more Congressional attention.

“I am optimistic that we’re going to get there this year. We are unified in our belief that this is something that desperately needs to be done,” Obernolte said.

Tech Leaders Champion Quantum

In addition to Congress’s growing support for quantum technologies, President Trump has added quantum supporters to his cabinet, including White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios and AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks. These appointments are a “positive sign” for advancing quantum, according to Obernolte.

“We’re going to be able to align the administration’s priorities and Congress’s priorities on not just quantum but also AI, and I think that’s really going to help us move the ball forward when it comes to not just reauthorization of the quantum initiative, but also getting past some of the legislation that we need to do on these two topics,” said Obernolte.

The U.S. continues to invest in quantum technologies to stay ahead of adversaries like China. The Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C) found in its first State of the Global Quantum Industry report that China’s estimated public funding for quantum research and innovation is roughly $15 billion.

China’s public funding accounts for 78% of quantum research funding in all East Asia and the Pacific. That totals roughly 34% of global public investment for quantum research and innovation. The report also found that the U.S. and U.K. are the next highest funders of quantum at $7.7 billion and $4.3 billion respectively.

Obernolte said China is a strong competitor but is not ahead of the U.S. in quantum technologies or AI. He added that the U.S. still needs to maintain leadership and focus on investing in the workforce and the study of quantum capabilities.

“Human capital has always been our biggest advantage over our foreign adversaries … Look at roles like that of a researcher, we have always had kind of an advantage because we foster an academic community that values things like independence and being able to think outside the box,” said Obernolte.