Durbin Joins Cantwell, Young To Introduce Bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act
Today’s legislation builds upon Durbin’s efforts to support the future of quantum research in Illinois
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Todd Young (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI.), Ted Budd (R-NC), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) to introduce the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act. The bipartisan legislation would accelerate quantum technology development and real-world applications that are vital to U.S. national security and global economic competitiveness.
“In Illinois, we know that quantum computing is the future,” said 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.”
“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.”
“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,” said Daines. “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.”
Since its enactment in 2018, the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) has helped to catalyze a rapidly growing U.S. quantum ecosystem, supporting the emergence of dozens of venture-backed quantum startups and a broader national industry spanning quantum computing, networking, and sensing. Through NQI-aligned programs, researchers have produced thousands of peer-reviewed publications and patents, and a new generation of quantum engineers has been trained. Federal coordination under the Initiative has driven billions of dollars in public and private investment, accelerating breakthroughs and strengthening U.S. leadership in quantum standards and measurement science.
These outcomes clearly demonstrate that the Initiative has moved quantum from a fragmented research effort into a nationally coordinated engine for innovation, commercialization, and competitiveness. But without sustained federal investment and a clear pathway beyond basic research, the United States risks losing technological leadership, weakening national security advantages, and ceding future economic growth to foreign competitors.
The bipartisan legislation would advance the National Quantum Initiative across the full research-to-application spectrum, strengthening basic research while accelerating practical applications and expanding the Initiative to include the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) research initiatives, including quantum satellite communications and quantum sensing. The bill would establish up to three new National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) quantum centers. It would create five new National Science Foundation (NSF) Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education, a quantum education and workforce hub and new quantum testbeds. These new centers, hubs, and testbeds would provide the shared infrastructure needed to scale quantum research, translate breakthroughs into applications, and train the next generation of quantum scientists and engineers.
The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act would:
- Extend the National Quantum Initiative by five years to December 2034 and reauthorize quantum research, education and development initiatives across NIST, NSF and NASA.
- 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.
- Create new prize challenges to accelerate the development of quantum applications and algorithms through public-private collaboration.
- Direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit a plan to Congress to strengthen quantum supply chain resilience.
- Establish up to three new NIST quantum centers to advance research in quantum sensing, measurement and engineering.
- Create five new NSF Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education, a quantum workforce coordination hub and quantum testbeds.
- For the first time, authorizes NASA quantum R&D activities including quantum satellite communications and quantum sensing research initiatives.
Durbin, Cantwell, Young, and Daines first introduced S. 5411, the National Quantum Initiative Act, in December 2024. 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 of appropriations for certain R&D programs expired on September 30, 2023. Authorization for the entire National Quantum Initiative expires December 21, 2029.
Durbin has been a strong supporter of pushing quantum research forward. Last February, Durbin reintroduced the DOE Quantum Leadership Act of 2025, which would reinvigorate R&D projects at DOE by authorizing more than $2.5 billion in funding over the next five years, which is well above the $625 million for DOE-related programs laid out in the now expired National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018. The DOE Quantum Leadership Act would also provide DOE the authority to expand its current quantum R&D initiatives.
Durbin has previously visited MxD in Chicago to discuss integrating quantum technology into manufacturing processes. He also joined Illinois leaders to announce the new partnership between the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Illinois – Quantum Proving Ground – to promote quantum computing research, development, and manufacturing in the state.
Durbin previously joined Illinois leaders in celebrating the newly-announced location of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park’s (IQMP) location at USX on the South Side of Chicago and the announcement of the quantum campus’ first anchor tenant, PsiQuantum. Illinois plans to invest $500 million into the new quantum campus to attract Fortune 500 companies and startups in quantum computing.
The full text of the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act is HERE and a section by section is HERE.
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