12.05.24

Cantwell Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Promote U.S. Leadership in Global Race for Quantum Technology

state workers poised to lead U.S. in quantum research and application

WASHINGTON. D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, introduced the bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act. The legislation would authorize $2.7 billion over the next five years for the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) and direct the NQI to focus on practical applications of quantum computing within other federal agencies.

“Advancements in quantum science and technology are a game-changer. From healthcare breakthroughs to clean energy solutions, quantum applications in sensing, computing, and communications will reshape our future,” said Sen. Cantwell. “The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act strengthens America's competitive edge through critical R&D investments. By fostering public-private collaboration, we will accelerate quantum innovation, create high-skilled jobs, and pioneer discoveries that benefit generations to come.”

Federal funding is crucial to maintain and expand U.S. leadership in the global race for quantum technology. 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.

As the U.S. races to develop this breakthrough technology, workers, researchers, and industry partners in the Pacific Northwest are uniquely positioned to help lead the U.S. as the “Quantum Valley.”

A summary of Sen. Cantwell’s bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act and industry stakeholder quotes are available HERE.

Key Quantum Stakeholders in Washington state:

  • The University of Washington has received $97 million in quantum research funding since 2020 to establish two new research facilities; the Washington Nano-fabrication Facility and the Quantum Technologies Training and Testbed Lab (QT3); traineeship program; and curriculum development.
  • Washington State University has received $6.8 million from federal agencies since 2020 for workforce development and research programs.
  • The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has received $15 million from NQI to help launch three new Quantum Information Science (QIS) research centers, led in partnership with the Department of Energy.
  • Amazon Web Services is working to develop the first scalable quantum computer.
  • Boeing is working to develop quantum sensors, which would enable flight navigation without a traditional GPS. Boeing completed the world’s first quantum navigation flight test in August 2024.
  • IonQ – Bothell recently opened the first dedicated quantum computer manufacturing facility in the U.S.
  • Microsoft is currently building the first utility-scale quantum computer, and integrating AI and high performance computing to solve problems in chemistry and health care. Microsoft is also a partner with PNNL in QIS Research Centers.

Created in 2018, the National Quantum Initiative coordinates quantum research and development to advance the United States' economic and national security. The original five-year authorization was signed into law in December 2018, and authorization for certain R&D activities expired on September 30, 2023. The authorization for the entire National Quantum Initiative expires on December 21, 2029.

Sen. Cantwell authored the DOE Quantum Information Science Act, which became law as part of the House National Quantum Initiative Act in December 2018. As the lead architect of the CHIPS & Science Act, Sen. Cantwell advocated for several quantum provisions and identified quantum technology as one of the ten key technology focus areas. In February 2024, Sen. Canwell spoke at the grand opening of the nation’s first quantum computing manufacturing facility at IonQ in Bothell, Wash., about the promise of the Pacific Northwest becoming the nation’s “Quantum Valley.”

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