Young, Cantwell Introduce National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) introduced the 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.

“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. 

In addition to Senators Young and Cantwell, U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also introduced the legislation.

“I’m proud to introduce the NQIA with Senator Todd Young. 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,” said Senator Daines.

“In Illinois, we know that quantum computing is the future,” said Senator Durbin. “If we hope to push this field forward, we must invest in our quantum research centers and offer scientists the resources to advance computing, security, and connectivity. I’m joining my colleagues in support of the bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act to ensure that we continue leading the quantum revolution.”

“I’ve worked for years to reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative, and I’m pleased to join my colleagues in introducing a bill that will ensure America will dominate the global quantum race. Tennessee will play a critical role in ensuring we do not fall behind adversaries like Communist China,” said Senator Blackburn. “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.”

“Ensuring the U.S. is at the forefront of quantum research and development is crucial for national security and technological advancements,” said Senator Luján. “To strengthen U.S. leadership in quantum technology, I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act to boost quantum innovation nationwide. New Mexico is a leader in U.S. quantum research, and this legislation will help drive innovation in our state.”

“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.

“Wisconsin has always been an engine for innovation – and I’m committed to ensuring that our state stays on the forefront of the up-and-coming industries that will create jobs and economic growth for the future,” said Senator Baldwin.“I’m proud to work with Republicans and Democrats to support the cutting-edge work in quantum computing being done at Wisconsin’s research universities and ensure our nation remains competitive on the global stage for the next generation.”

“Alongside artificial intelligence, quantum technology has the potential to be one of the most consequential technologies of this generation,” said Senator Rounds. “As such, President Trump has identified quantum information science and technology dominance as a critical area for American leadership. The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act supports that priority.”

“Quantum technology is critical to national security and new jobs and innovation, which is why I have long fought to invest in the R&D, workforce, and supply chains required to maintain American leadership in this critical technology,” said Senator Schumer. “This legislation will provide the necessary, sustained federal investment to ensure that the quantum industry is made in America, not in China.”

Federal investment in quantum technology is essential to bridge the “valley of death,” where promising innovations too often stall between research and commercialization. Targeted federal funding supports early-stage research at universities and national labs, trains the next generation of quantum engineers and scientists, and builds the critical infrastructure needed to move discoveries to market. Without sustained federal support, breakthroughs vital to national security and economic competitiveness risk never becoming reality.

The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act is supported by the University of Notre Dame, Indiana University, Purdue University, and stakeholders across the nation.

“Thank you to Senators Young and Cantwell for their leadership in supporting the continued advancement of quantum science and technology in the United States. Notre Dame is especially appreciative of, and supportive of, efforts to sustain strong federal investments in quantum research, education, and workforce development, as well as initiatives that help translate foundational discoveries into real-world applications. Continued support for collaborative research, public–private partnerships, and technology maturation activities is essential to sustaining our competitive advantage in these crucial scientific and strategic areas. We are proud to partner with other academic institutions in our state through collaborative efforts, such as the Center for Quantum Technologies, to strengthen the broader quantum research and innovation ecosystem and help the nation realize the economic and scientific benefits of operational quantum systems,” said Dr. Jeff Rhoads, Vice President for Research at the University of Notre Dame.

“This landmark legislation positions the United States to lead the world in quantum science and technology by strengthening collaboration between the federal government and our nation’s research universities,” said Pamela Whitten, Indiana University President. “We are grateful for Senator Young’s leadership and his recognition that sustained federal investment is essential to transformational discovery, scientific workforce development and real-world impact on economic and national security.”

“Reauthorizing and enhancing quantum R&D programs across various federal agencies is squarely in the national interest across defense, commercial, and scientific sectors. Enabled by this Bill, and with Quantum already a pillar in our Purdue Computes Strategic Initiative, Purdue will redouble our already substantial investment in the science and engineering excellence of quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing,” said Dan DeLaurentis, Purdue University Executive Vice President for Research.

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 establishes 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.

Senator Young is committed to advancing U.S. leadership in quantum science and technology. In the 119th Congress, Young introduced the International Quantum Research Exchange Act to promote global collaboration with allied partners to strengthen America’s competitive edge in this critical field. The Senate also unanimously passed a resolution led by Young to establish World Quantum Day and help inspire the next generation of STEM innovators. This work complements Indiana’s growing Quantum Corridor, which is positioning the state as a national hub for quantum innovation, workforce development, and public-private collaboration. Senator Young secured an authorization of $12 million for this effort through the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. Through these initiatives, Young is committed to fostering innovation, supporting workforce development, and ensuring Indiana and the United States remain at the forefront of quantum breakthroughs that will shape economic and national security for decades to come.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.