Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., introduced legislation last week that aims to advance quantum research at the Department of Energy (DoE) by authorizing $2.5 billion in funding over the next five years.
This number is well above the $625 million for DoE-related programs laid out in the now-expired National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018, the senators said.
In addition to the funding, the bill – titled the DOE Quantum Leadership Act of 2024 – would authorize the DoE to expand its current quantum research and development (R&D) initiatives through 2029.
“For the last five years, the Department of Energy has pioneered research into quantum technologies to ensure the United States leads the world in computing, security, and connectivity … I want to keep that momentum going,” Sen. Durbin said in a press release.
“That’s why Senator Daines and I have introduced the DOE Quantum Leadership Act to supercharge research, development, and commercialization of quantum technologies,” he added. “With this legislation, we can ensure our DoE facilities, including Illinois’ Fermilab and Argonne National Labs, are well-equipped to lead this quantum revolution.”
The senators said the legislation would direct DoE to research and address quantum supply chain challenges and reduce barriers to commercialization, as well as increase interagency and industry coordination.
It would also set up new programs to support the workforce demands of the ever-growing quantum R&D and commercial ecosystems.
“Our National Quantum Initiative Program is essential in maintaining our position as global leaders in science and technology, and also supports hundreds of Montana jobs. I’m glad to work with my colleagues on renewing this bipartisan legislation that will accelerate quantum research, increase our national security, and bolster the economy both in Montana and across the nation,” said Sen. Daines.
Quantum – more specifically, post-quantum cryptography – has been a big focus of the Biden-Harris administration, which released its National Security Memorandum 10 – Promoting United States Leadership in Quantum Computing While Mitigating Risks to Vulnerable Cryptographic Systems – in May 2022.
The document calls for the transition of cryptographic systems to quantum-resistant cryptography by 2035.
“The DOE Quantum Leadership Act, proposed by Senator Durbin and Senator Daines, is crucial at this pivotal moment in the global quantum race as quantum technology approaches true end-use applications,” said Jason Yager, executive director of the Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance. “The Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance wholeheartedly supports the DOE Leadership Act and believes that action is needed now.”
