Hickenlooper, Commerce Committee Colleagues Pass Bipartisan Quantum Development Investment Bill

Bill will help support Colorado's Quantum Tech Hub

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, along with a bipartisan group of senators, passed the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act out of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee to accelerate quantum technology development and real-world applications that are vital to U.S. national security and global economic competitiveness.

"It's so important to stand up for quantum because it's our future, and we can't afford to get left behind by the rest of the world," said Hickenlooper. "Colorado is already a global leader in science and innovation. Quantum is Colorado's next great success story. We need to invest in this industry so it can help all of humanity with landmark scientific breakthroughs."

"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," said Cantwell. "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."

"We need to ensure the United States has the talent and research capabilities required to lead the global tech competition and outcompete China," said Young. "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."

Since 2018, the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) has helped to catalyze a rapidly growing U.S. quantum ecosystem, supporting dozens of quantum startups and broader quantum computing, networking, and sensing. Through NQI programs, researchers produce thousands of peer-reviewed publications and patents, and a new generation of quantum engineers are trained. Federal coordination has driven billions of dollars in public and private investment, accelerating breakthroughs and strengthening U.S. leadership in quantum science.

NQI has moved quantum from a fragmented research effort into a nationally coordinated engine for innovation, commercialization, and competitiveness. Without sustained federal investment, the United States risks losing technological leadership, weakening national security, and giving up future economic growth to foreign competitors.

The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act:

• Extends the National Quantum Initiative by five years.

• Reauthorizes quantum research, education, and development initiatives across NIST, NSF and NASA.

• Requires the White House to develop an international quantum cooperation strategy to coordinate R&D activities with U.S. allies.

• Creates new prize challenges to accelerate the development of quantum applications and algorithms through public-private collaboration.

• Directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to assess, map, and model quantum supply chains, identify current and future vulnerabilities in these supply chains, and submit a plan to Congress to strengthen resiliency to protect against future shocks to these supply chains.

• Establishes up to three new NIST quantum centers to advance research in quantum sensing, measurement, and engineering.

• Creates three new NSF Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education, a quantum workforce coordination hub, and quantum testbeds.

• Authorizes NASA quantum R&D activities.

Hickenlooper has led Colorado's emergence as a hub for quantum science and innovation. His CHIPS and Science Act secured over $40 million to build out the Quantum Commons in Colorado. Hickenlooper recently visited the hub to check out what Colorado's leadership looks like on the ground. He spoke with leaders in Colorado's quantum space about its importance for our national security, health innovation, and economic development. He continues to promote Colorado's quantum industry and applauds its progress.

"The NQI is a critical component of the U.S. quantum ecosystem, providing a solid foundation of leading-edge research and creating a pipeline of relevantly educated talent. The NQI Reauthorization will further grow the US ecosystem by adding capacity to move basic research from lab to market and enhancing coordination and collaboration with the private sector and international partners. QED-C is excited to contribute and participate in accelerating progress toward a quantum-enabled economy." said Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium

"Reauthorizing the NQI is important for U.S. national security and economic competitiveness and will improve the lives of all Americans. Quantum technologies will strengthen our nation's critical infrastructure, boost U.S. manufacturing and jobs, and this legislation will help accelerate deployable quantum capabilities into real-world use and accelerate adoption at scale." said Matt Kinsella, CEO of Infleqtion

"Quantum computing is accelerating rapidly, and the time to act is now. The National Quantum Initiative has delivered important advances over the past five years, and IBM is proud to help lead that progress. But the pace of global innovation demands that we move even faster. Reauthorizing the NQI is essential to sustaining U.S. leadership in a technology that will transform industries, reshape scientific discovery, and unlock tremendous economic value. We urge Congress to quickly pass this measure and accelerate the research, workforce development, and public-private partnerships that will translate quantum innovation into real-world benefits for the American people." said Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO, IBM

"Microsoft supports the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act as a vital step in maintaining U.S. leadership in quantum information science. This legislation plays a crucial role in driving innovation, cultivating a skilled quantum workforce, and fostering public-private partnerships. As quantum technologies advance, they offer transformative potential to address critical global challenges and accelerate scientific discovery. Microsoft is proud to contribute to the progress of quantum science and technology and advocates for the swift passage of this essential legislation to secure the United States' position at the forefront of the quantum revolution." said Fred Humphries, Corporate VP U.S. Government Affairs for Microsoft

"As a leader in the quantum computing field, Google Quantum AI views this legislation as a vital step for America's technological future. Since 2018, the Initiative has secured U.S. quantum leadership through essential federal investment in R&D and the STEM workforce. By expanding its scope and adding focus on practical applications and public-private collaboration, this Act ensures the United States maintains its competitive edge. We are proud to partner with National Quantum Initiative centers and activities, and look forward to the economic and national security benefits this legislation will deliver." said Hartmut Neven, Founder and Lead, Google Quantum AI

Full text of the legislation is available HERE.

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