Senate committee approves quantum reauthorization bill with 7 amendments 

The Senate Commerce Committee advanced the reauthorization of the National Quantum Initiative Act on Tuesday, including a slew of amendments to the bill addressing the acceleration of near-term technological applications, post-quantum cryptography guidance and more.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., noted during the markup that her three bills — the Advancing Quantum Manufacturing Act, the Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Application Act, and the National Quantum Cybersecurity Migration Strategy Act — all made it into the NQIA Reauthorization as amendments. 

The first aims to improve coordination between the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, as well as establish a Manufacturing USA institute for quantum manufacturing that can determine the capabilities necessary to support quantum development and offer financial assistance.

The second measure looks to “establish a public-private partnership for near-term quantum application development and acceleration.”

The final proposal seeks to help prepare the federal government for the cybersecurity threats posed by advancing quantum capabilities, requiring the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to coordinate development of a national strategy.

“The National Quantum Initiative has really been a cornerstone of the work that is being done at some of the national labs like Oak Ridge National Lab in Tennessee … as we look at how we revolutionize national security, how we look at innovations in medicine and of course every sector of our nation’s economy,” Blackburn said during Tuesday's markup. 

Four other amendments were also passed and included in the bill text. 

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., added two amendments: One looks to provide support for quantum testbeds that can hasten quantum information science and technology prototypes and scale-up for industry partners, and the other seeks to clarify the National Science Foundation’s program to improve and expand access to quantum research resources.

Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., also introduced an amendment to the NQIA Reauthorization that looks to establish a channel of consultation between Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education –– entities created by the first iteration of the NQIA –– and regional technology and innovation hubs created by the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980.

Under Hickenlooper's proposal, the National Science Foundation and the Secretary of Commerce would be tasked with coordinating research and development activities between the centers and hubs, with a focus on quantum information sciences, engineering and technology. 

The final amendment from Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., also seeks to address the research domains of the Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education. The amendment would expand research initiatives not just in QIST disciplines, but also in adjacent fields like materials science, fabrication science and physics.

Kim’s amendment would also direct the Multidisciplinary Centers to leverage existing infrastructure, namely data centers and communication networks, to support demonstrations and applications of quantum technologies and to work with industry partners. 

The National Quantum Initiative Act was first passed in 2018, and expired in the fall of 2023. Lawmakers reintroduced the reauthorization of the bill in January 2026. Industry leaders were quick to throw their support behind the NQIA Reauthorization following Tuesday’s markup. 

“We applaud the Senate Commerce Committee leadership for taking a step toward reauthorizing and expanding the National Quantum Initiative,” D-Wave SVP of Global Public Affairs and Government Relations Allison Schwartz said in a statement. “We are encouraged that the Committee included commercialization language and near-term quantum application development. These sandbox style programs are critical to demystifying the capabilities of quantum computing and determining how to address some of the nation’s most pressing optimization challenges.”

Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., who led the reintroduction of the bill along with Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., voiced support for the NQIA Reauthorization's progression. 

“Quantum technologies promise to dramatically transform every industry and sector of our economy and revolutionize our technological capabilities,” Young said in a statement. “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.”

Following the full committee vote, the bill will now advance to the Senate floor.