WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced legislation to strengthen the development, manufacturing, and defense applications of quantum technology in the United States. These bills include the Defense Quantum Acceleration Act with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), the Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act with Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and the Advancing Quantum Manufacturing Act with Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.).

“Tennessee is among the states leading the nation in quantum development, and we need to continue building on this momentum to strengthen quantum technology across the nation,” said Senator Blackburn. “These bills would provide a strategic roadmap for quantum development, promote continued innovation, and supercharge the Defense Department’s approach to quantum technology to advance our national security. I look forward to working with the Commerce Committee to pass these bills and reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative.”

BACKGROUND

• The Defense Quantum Acceleration Act would supercharge the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) approach to quantum technology and advance U.S. national security, building on the work done at institutions like Oak Ridge National Lab in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Specifically, this bill would establish a framework for the DoD to optimize its approach to the development and transitioning of quantum technology and develop a strategic quantum roadmap. It would also authorize a defense quantum technology testbed to enable the Defense Innovation Unit to successfully execute the transition of near-term quantum capabilities. Click here to read the bill text. 

• The Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act would establish a public-private partnership for near-term quantum application development and acceleration. Click here to read the bill text. 

• The Advancing Quantum Manufacturing Act would establish a Manufacturing USA Institute for Quantum Manufacturing and improve coordination between the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation for activities related to quantum development. Click here to read the bill text. 

• Earlier this year, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) recognized Senator Blackburn for her leadership on advancing a reauthorization of quantum computing research programs to drive innovation, protect the nation, and create new industries.

RELATED

• Blackburn, Stefanik Introduce Bill Ensuring DoD Prioritizes Quantum Development to Counter Communist China

• Blackburn, Luján Lead Bill to Boost Quantum Computing Applications in U.S. 

• Blackburn, Peters Lead Bill to Bolster U.S. Quantum Manufacturing