[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 153 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H8229-H8234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE ACT

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 6227) to provide for a coordinated Federal program 
to accelerate quantum research and development for the economic and 
national security of the United States, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6227

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``National 
     Quantum Initiative Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Purposes.

                  TITLE I--NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE

Sec. 101. National Quantum Initiative Program.
Sec. 102. National Quantum Coordination Office.
Sec. 103. Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science.
Sec. 104. National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee.
Sec. 105. Sunset.

   TITLE II--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY QUANTUM 
                               ACTIVITIES

Sec. 201. National Institute of Standards and Technology activities and 
              quantum workshop.

 TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTERS 
                   FOR QUANTUM RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

Sec. 301. Quantum information science research and education program.
Sec. 302. Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education.

     TITLE IV--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESEARCH AND NATIONAL QUANTUM 
                  INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTERS

Sec. 401. Quantum Information Science Research program.
Sec. 402. National Quantum Information Science Research Centers.
Sec. 403. Spending limitation.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act, the following definitions apply:
       (1) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory Committee'' 
     means the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee 
     established under section 104(a).
       (2) Coordination office.--The term ``Coordination Office'' 
     means the National Quantum Coordination Office established 
     under section 102(a).
       (3) Institutions of higher education.--The term 
     ``institutions of higher education'' has the meaning given 
     the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
       (4) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the National 
     Quantum Initiative Program implemented under section 101(a).
       (5) Quantum information science.--The term ``quantum 
     information science'' means the storage, transmission, 
     manipulation, or measurement of information that is encoded 
     in systems that can only be described by the laws of quantum 
     physics.
       (6) Subcommittee.--The term ``Subcommittee'' means the 
     Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science of the National 
     Science and Technology Council established under section 
     103(a).

     SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

        The purposes of this Act are to ensure the continued 
     leadership of the United States in quantum information 
     science and its technology applications by--
       (1) supporting research, development, demonstration, and 
     application of quantum information science and technology in 
     order to--
       (A) expand the number of researchers, educators, and 
     students with training in quantum information science and 
     technology to develop a workforce pipeline;
       (B) promote the development and inclusion of 
     multidisciplinary curriculum and research opportunities for 
     quantum information science at the undergraduate, graduate, 
     and postdoctoral level;
       (C) address basic research knowledge gaps;
       (D) promote the further development of facilities and 
     centers available for quantum information science and 
     technology research, testing and education; and
       (E) stimulate research on and promote more rapid 
     development of quantum-based technologies;
       (2) improving the interagency planning and coordination of 
     Federal research and development of quantum information 
     science and technology and maximizing the effectiveness of 
     the Federal Government's quantum information science and 
     technology research and development programs;
       (3) promoting collaboration among government, Federal 
     laboratories, industry, and universities; and
       (4) promoting the development of standards for quantum 
     information science and technology security.

                  TITLE I--NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE

     SEC. 101. NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE PROGRAM.

       The President shall implement a 10-year National Quantum 
     Initiative Program. In carrying out the Program, the 
     President shall, acting through appropriate Federal agencies, 
     councils, working groups, subcommittees, and the Coordination 
     Office--
       (1) establish the goals, priorities, and metrics for a 10-
     year plan to accelerate development of quantum information 
     science and technology applications in the United States;
       (2) invest in fundamental Federal quantum information 
     science and technology research, development, demonstration, 
     and other activities to achieve the goals established in 
     paragraph (1);
       (3) invest in activities to develop a quantum information 
     science and technology workforce pipeline;
       (4) provide for interagency coordination of Federal quantum 
     information science and technology research, development, 
     demonstration, and other activities undertaken pursuant to 
     the Program;
       (5) partner with industry and academia to leverage 
     knowledge and resources; and
       (6) leverage existing Federal investments efficiently to 
     advance Program goals and objectives.

     SEC. 102. NATIONAL QUANTUM COORDINATION OFFICE.

       (a) Establishment.--The President shall establish a 
     National Quantum Coordination Office, which shall have--
       (1) a Director appointed by the Director of the Office of 
     Science and Technology Policy, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Commerce, the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation, and the Secretary of Energy; and
       (2) staff that shall be comprised of employees detailed 
     from the Federal agencies that are members of the 
     Subcommittee.
       (b) Responsibilities.--The Coordination Office shall--
       (1) provide technical and administrative support to--
       (A) the Subcommittee; and
       (B) the Advisory Committee;
       (2) oversee interagency coordination of the Program, 
     including encouraging and supporting joint agency 
     solicitation and selection of applications for funding of 
     projects under the Program;
       (3) serve as the point of contact on Federal civilian 
     quantum information science and technology activities for 
     Government organizations, academia, industry, professional 
     societies, State governments, and others to exchange 
     technical and programmatic information;
       (4) ensure coordination between the Multidisciplinary 
     Centers for Quantum Research and Education established under 
     section 302(a) and the National Quantum Information Science 
     Research Centers established under section 402(a);
       (5) conduct public outreach, including dissemination of 
     findings and recommendations of the Advisory Committee, as 
     appropriate;
       (6) promote access to and early application of the 
     technologies, innovations, and expertise derived from Program 
     activities to agency missions and systems across the Federal 
     Government, and to United States industry, including startup 
     companies; and
       (7) promote access, through appropriate Government 
     agencies, to existing quantum computing and communication 
     systems developed by industry, academia, and Federal 
     laboratories to the general user community in pursuit of 
     discovery of the new applications of such systems.
       (c) Funding.--Funds necessary to carry out the activities 
     of the Coordination Office shall be made available each 
     fiscal year by the participating agencies of the 
     Subcommittee, as determined by the Director of the Office of 
     Science and Technology Policy.

     SEC. 103. SUBCOMMITTEE ON QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE.

       (a) Establishment.--The President shall establish, through 
     the National Science and Technology Council, a Subcommittee 
     on Quantum Information Science.
       (b) Membership.--The Subcommittee shall include--
       (1) the National Institute of Standards and Technology;
       (2) the National Science Foundation;
       (3) the Department of Energy;
       (4) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
       (5) the Department of Defense;
       (6) the Office of the Director of National Intelligence;
       (7) the Office of Management and Budget;
       (8) the Office of Science and Technology Policy; and
       (9) any other Federal agency as considered appropriate by 
     the President.
       (c) Chairs.--The Subcommittee shall be jointly chaired by 
     the Director of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology, the Director of the National Science Foundation, 
     and the Secretary of Energy.
       (d) Responsibilities.--The Subcommittee shall--
       (1) coordinate the quantum information science and 
     technology research and education activities and programs of 
     the Federal agencies;
       (2) establish goals and priorities of the Program, based on 
     identified knowledge and workforce gaps and other national 
     needs;
       (3) assess and recommend Federal infrastructure needs to 
     support the Program; and
       (4) evaluate opportunities for international cooperation 
     with strategic allies on research and development in quantum 
     information science and technology.
       (e) Strategic Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Subcommittee shall develop a 5-
     year strategic plan, and 6 years after enactment of the Act 
     develop an additional 5-year strategic plan, with periodic 
     updates as appropriate to guide the activities of the 
     Program, meet the goals, priorities,

[[Page H8230]]

     and anticipated outcomes of the participating agencies.
       (f) Reports.--The Chairs of the Subcommittee shall submit 
     to the President, the Advisory Committee, the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate, and other appropriate committees of 
     Congress the strategic plans developed under subsection (e) 
     and any updates to such plans.

     SEC. 104. NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       (a) In General.--The President shall establish a National 
     Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee.
       (b) Qualifications.--The Advisory Committee established by 
     the President under subsection (a) shall consist of members 
     from industry, academic institutions, and Federal 
     laboratories. The President shall appoint members to the 
     Advisory Committee who are qualified to provide advice and 
     information on quantum information science and technology 
     research, development, demonstrations, education, technology 
     transfer, commercial application, or national security and 
     economic concerns.
       (c) Membership Consideration.--In selecting an Advisory 
     Committee, the President may seek and give consideration to 
     recommendations from the Congress, industry, the scientific 
     community (including the National Academy of Sciences, 
     scientific professional societies, and academia), the defense 
     community, and other appropriate organizations.
       (d) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall advise the 
     President and the Subcommittee and make recommendations that 
     shall be considered in reviewing and revising the Program. 
     The Advisory Committee shall provide the President and the 
     Subcommittee with an independent assessment of--
       (1) trends and developments in quantum information science 
     and technology;
       (2) progress made in implementing the Program;
       (3) whether the Program activities, priorities, and 
     technical goals developed by the Subcommittee are helping to 
     maintain United States leadership in quantum information 
     science and technology;
       (4) the management, coordination, implementation, and 
     activities of the Program;
       (5) the need to revise the Program;
       (6) whether or not there are opportunities for 
     international cooperation with strategic allies on research 
     and development in quantum information science and 
     technology; and
       (7) whether national security, societal, economic, legal, 
     and workforce concerns are adequately addressed by the 
     Program.
       (e) Reports.--The Advisory Committee shall report, not less 
     frequently than once every 2 years, to the President on the 
     assessments required under subsection (d) and any 
     recommendations to improve the Program. The first report 
     under this subsection shall be submitted not later than 6 
     months after the date of enactment of this Act. The Director 
     of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall transmit 
     a copy of each report under this subsection to the Committee 
     on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Technology of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate, and other appropriate committees of 
     the Congress.
       (f) Travel Expenses of Non-Federal Members.--Non-Federal 
     members of the Advisory Committee, while attending meetings 
     of the Advisory Committee or while otherwise serving at the 
     request of the head of the Advisory Committee away from their 
     homes or regular places of business, may be allowed travel 
     expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as 
     authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, 
     for individuals in the Government serving without pay. 
     Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit 
     members of the Advisory Committee who are officers or 
     employees of the United States from being allowed travel 
     expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
     accordance with existing law.
       (g) Exemption.--The Advisory Committee shall be exempt from 
     section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
     App.).

     SEC. 105. SUNSET.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided for in subsection (b), 
     the authority to carry out sections 101, 102, 103, and 104 
     shall terminate on the date that is 11 years after the date 
     of enactment of this Act.
       (b) Extension.--The President may continue the activities 
     under such sections if the President determines that such 
     activities are necessary to meet national economic or 
     national security needs.

   TITLE II--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY QUANTUM 
                               ACTIVITIES

     SEC. 201. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY 
                   ACTIVITIES AND QUANTUM WORKSHOP.

       (a) National Institute of Standards and Technology 
     Activities.--As part of the Program described in title I, the 
     Director of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology shall--
       (1) continue to support and expand basic quantum 
     information science and technology research and development 
     of measurement and standards infrastructure necessary to 
     advance commercial development of quantum applications;
       (2) use its existing programs, in collaboration with other 
     agencies, as appropriate, to train scientists in quantum 
     information science and technology to increase participation 
     in the quantum fields;
       (3) establish or expand collaborative ventures or consortia 
     with other public or private sector entities, including 
     academia, National Laboratories, and industry for the purpose 
     of advancing the field of quantum information science and 
     engineering; and
       (4) have the authority to enter into and perform such 
     contracts, including cooperative research and development 
     arrangements and grants and cooperative agreements or other 
     transactions, as may be necessary in the conduct of the work 
     of the Institute and on such terms as the Director considers 
     appropriate, in furtherance of the purposes of this Act.
       (b) Quantum Workshop.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Institute 
     of Standards and Technology shall convene a workshop of 
     stakeholders to discuss the future measurement, standards, 
     cybersecurity, and other appropriate needs for supporting the 
     development of a robust quantum information science and 
     technology industry in the United States. The goals of the 
     workshop shall be to--
       (A) assess the current research on the issues described in 
     this paragraph;
       (B) evaluate the research gaps relating to such issues; and
       (C) provide recommendations on how the National Institute 
     of Standards and Technology and the Program can address the 
     research needs identified.
       (2) Report to congress.--Not later than 2 years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology shall transmit to the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate a summary report containing the 
     findings of the workshop convened under this section.
       (c) Funding.--The Secretary of Commerce shall devote 
     $400,000,000 to carry out this section, which shall include 
     $80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, 
     subject to the availability of appropriations, to come from 
     amounts made available for the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology. This section shall be carried out 
     using funds otherwise appropriated by law after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.

 TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTERS 
                   FOR QUANTUM RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

     SEC. 301. QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall carry out a basic research and education 
     program on quantum information science and engineering.
       (b) Program Components.--In carrying out the program 
     required under subsection (a), the Director of the National 
     Science Foundation shall carry out activities that continue 
     to support basic interdisciplinary quantum information 
     science and engineering research, and support human resources 
     development in all aspects of quantum information science and 
     engineering. Such activities shall include--
       (1) using the existing programs of the National Science 
     Foundation, in collaboration with other Federal agencies, as 
     appropriate, to--
       (A) improve the teaching and learning of quantum 
     information science and engineering at the undergraduate, 
     graduate, and postgraduate levels; and
       (B) increase participation in the quantum fields, including 
     by individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 of the 
     Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1885a; 42 U.S.C. 1885b);
       (2) formulating goals for quantum information science and 
     engineering research and education activities to be supported 
     by the National Science Foundation;
       (3) leveraging the collective body of knowledge from 
     existing quantum information science and engineering research 
     and education activities;
       (4) coordinating research efforts funded through existing 
     programs across the directorates of the National Science 
     Foundation; and
       (5) engaging with other Federal agencies, research 
     communities, and potential users of information produced 
     under this section.

     SEC. 302. MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTERS FOR QUANTUM RESEARCH AND 
                   EDUCATION.

       (a) Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and 
     Education.--
       (1) In general.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation, in consultation with other Federal agencies as 
     appropriate, shall award grants to institutions of higher 
     education or eligible nonprofit organizations (or consortia 
     thereof) to establish up to 5 Multidisciplinary Centers for 
     Quantum Research and Education.
       (2) Collaborations.--A collaboration receiving an award 
     under this subsection may include institutions of higher 
     education, eligible nonprofit organizations, and private 
     sector entities.
       (3) Purpose.--The purpose of the Centers shall be to 
     conduct basic research and education activities in support of 
     the goals and priorities of the Program as determined in 
     title I, to--
       (A) continue to advance quantum information science and 
     engineering;
       (B) support curriculum and workforce development in quantum 
     information science and engineering; and
       (C) foster innovation by bringing industry perspectives to 
     quantum research and workforce development, including by 
     leveraging industry resources and research capacity.
       (4) Requirements.--An institution of higher education or an 
     eligible nonprofit organization (or a consortium thereof) 
     seeking funding under this section shall submit an 
     application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and 
     containing such information as the Director may

[[Page H8231]]

     require. The application shall include, at a minimum, a 
     description of--
       (A) how the Center will work with other research 
     institutions and industry partners to leverage expertise in 
     quantum science, education and curriculum development, and 
     technology transfer;
       (B) how the Center will promote active collaboration among 
     researchers in multiple disciplines involved in quantum 
     research including physics, engineering, mathematics, 
     computer science, chemistry, and material science;
       (C) how the Center will support long-term and short-term 
     workforce development in the quantum field;
       (D) how the Center can support an innovation ecosystem to 
     work with industry to translate Center research into 
     applications; and
       (E) a long-term plan to become self-sustaining after the 
     expiration of Foundation support.
       (5) Selection and duration.--
       (A) In general.--The Centers selected and established under 
     this section are authorized to carry out activities for a 
     period of 5 years.
       (B) Reapplication.--An awardee may reapply for an 
     additional, subsequent period of 5 years on a competitive, 
     merit-reviewed basis.
       (C) Termination.--Consistent with the existing authorities 
     of the Foundation, the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation may terminate an underperforming Center for cause 
     during the performance period.
       (6) Funding.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall devote $250,000,000 to carry out this 
     section, which shall include $50,000,000 for each of fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2023, subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, to come from amounts made available for 
     Research and Related Activities and Education and Human 
     Resources. This section shall be carried out using funds 
     otherwise appropriated by law after the date of enactment of 
     this Act.
       (b) Graduate Traineeships.--The Director of the National 
     Science Foundation may establish a program to provide 
     traineeships to graduate students at institutions of higher 
     education within the United States who are citizens of the 
     United States and who choose to pursue masters or doctoral 
     degrees in quantum information science.

     TITLE IV--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESEARCH AND NATIONAL QUANTUM 
                  INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTERS

     SEC. 401. QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall carry out a 
     basic research program on quantum information science.
       (b) Program Components.--In carrying out the program 
     required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
       (1) formulate goals for quantum information science 
     research to be supported by the Department of Energy;
       (2) leverage the collective body of knowledge from existing 
     quantum information science research;
       (3) coordinate research efforts funded through existing 
     programs across the Office of Science; and
       (4) engage with other Federal agencies, research 
     communities, and potential users of information produced 
     under this section.

     SEC. 402. NATIONAL QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH 
                   CENTERS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall ensure that 
     the Office of Science carries out a program, in consultation 
     with other Federal agencies, as appropriate, to establish and 
     operate up to 5 National Quantum Information Science Research 
     Centers to conduct basic research to accelerate scientific 
     breakthroughs in quantum information science and technology 
     and to support research conducted under section 401. Such 
     centers shall be established through a competitive, merit-
     reviewed process, and consider applications from National 
     Laboratories, institutions of higher education, research 
     centers, multi-institutional collaborations, and other 
     appropriate entities.
       (b) Collaborations.--A collaboration receiving an award 
     under this subsection may include multiple types of research 
     institutions and private sector entities.
       (c) Requirements.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
     Centers developed, constructed, operated, or maintained under 
     this section shall serve the needs of the Department of 
     Energy, industry, the academic community, and other relevant 
     entities to create and develop processes for the purpose of 
     advancing basic research in quantum information science and 
     improving the competitiveness of the United States.
       (d) Coordination.--The Secretary shall ensure the 
     coordination of, and avoid unnecessary duplication of, the 
     activities of each Center with the activities of--
       (1) other research entities of the Department, including 
     the Nanoscale Science Research Centers, the Energy Frontier 
     Research Centers, and the Energy Innovation Hubs; and
       (2) industry.
       (e) Selection and Duration.--
       (1) In general.--The centers selected and established under 
     this section are authorized to carry out activities for a 
     period of 5 years.
       (2) Reapplication.--An awardee may reapply for an 
     additional, subsequent period of 5 years on a competitive, 
     merit-reviewed basis.
       (3) Termination.--Consistent with the existing authorities 
     of the Department, the Secretary may terminate an 
     underperforming Center for cause during the performance 
     period.
       (f) Funding.--The Secretary of Energy shall devote 
     $625,000,000 to carry out this section, which shall include 
     $125,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, 
     subject to the availability of appropriations, to come from 
     amounts made available for the Office of Science. This 
     section shall be carried out using funds otherwise 
     appropriated by law after the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 403. SPENDING LIMITATION.

       No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and 
     this Act and such amendments shall be carried out using 
     amounts otherwise available for such purpose.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Smith) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice 
Johnson) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
to include extraneous material on H.R. 6227, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, this bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Act is 
cosponsored by House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking 
Member Eddie Bernice Johnson, as well as 24 other committee members. 
The bill has earned widespread support and was unanimously approved by 
the committee on June 27.
  Before I explain what the bill does, I would like to explain why it 
matters so much.
  In our lifetime, we have seen remarkable advances in the size and 
speed of our computers. Most of us carry phones in our pockets that are 
several thousand times more powerful than all the combined computing 
power available to NASA during the Apollo missions. Yet, as impressive 
as these advances have been, quantum computing has the power to affect 
an even more dramatic transformation of our society and worldwide 
technology.
  Computers today rely on tiny on-off switches within a processing 
chip. Technological advances have made possible supercomputers that can 
perform series of on-off operations at astonishing speeds. But 
classical computing technology is nearing its limits. Each switch can 
only operate in one of two positions, off or on, zero or one.
  Quantum computing is different. Rather than on-off switches, quantum 
computers rely on qubits. These are subatomic particles that can be 
both on and off at the same time. This enables quantum computers to 
perform complex calculations at speeds that are potentially millions of 
times faster than today's most advanced supercomputers.
  Countries that harness the power of quantum computing will be able to 
revolutionize cybersecurity, healthcare, communications, financial 
services, and transportation, just to name a few of the industries.
  The flip side of this is that quantum computing will make traditional 
IT security programs obsolete. The nation that develops quantum 
communications technology first may be able to decode, in a matter of 
seconds, other countries' sensitive national security information, 
proprietary technologies, and personal information.
  Other countries are investing billions of dollars in new research 
facilities and equipment for quantum computing. China has publicly 
stated a national goal of surpassing the U.S. during the next decade. 
That is why it is imperative that we act now to develop a national 
quantum strategy and preserve America's dominance in the scientific 
world.
  The National Quantum Initiative Act achieves this by creating a 10-
year Federal program to accelerate quantum research and development in 
the United States. The bill leverages the expertise and resources of 
U.S. industry, academia, and government to move quantum information 
science to the next level of research and development.
  The legislation enables a National Quantum Coordination Office within 
the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. This office 
will oversee interagency coordination and strategic planning, serve as 
a central point of contact for stakeholders, conduct research, and 
promote commercialization of Federal research by the private sector.
  The bill also supports basic research, education, and standards 
development at the National Institute of Standards

[[Page H8232]]

and Technology, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of 
Energy.
  Madam Speaker, $225 million a year of these agencies' baseline 
funding will now be directed to new quantum research centers and 
laboratory research. Their activities will address fundamental research 
gaps, create a stronger workforce, and develop revolutionary knowledge 
and transformative innovations to give U.S. companies and workers an 
enduring competitive advantage.
  The bill ensures that U.S. high-tech companies, which are investing 
heavily in quantum research, and a surge of quantum technology startups 
will contribute their knowledge and resources to a national effort.
  H.R. 6227 was developed with input from industry, academia, national 
laboratories, Federal agencies, and the administration. It was an open 
and bipartisan process.

                              {time}  1400

  The input of those stakeholders has yielded a strong consensus bill.
  Additionally, Senator Thune and Senator Nelson, the chairman and 
ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, have introduced a 
companion bill in the Senate. With bipartisan, bicameral support and 
the backing of the administration, I believe this bill could become law 
by the end of the year.
  Let's take action to spur America's quantum development. I urge my 
colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 
such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6227, the National Quantum 
Initiative Act.
  I want to take a moment to thank Chairman Smith for introducing this 
good legislation, of which I am a proud original cosponsor. I also want 
to express my appreciation for the deliberative, bipartisan process by 
which this bill was developed over the past year.
  H.R. 6227 is the product of engagement with key stakeholders in 
industry, academia, and the Federal Government.
  The Science, Space, and Technology Committee held a hearing on 
quantum technology last October. At that hearing, we heard from agency, 
university, and industry representatives about the recent breakthroughs 
in quantum sensing, quantum communication, and quantum computing. We 
also heard about the priorities for Federal investment in quantum 
research and the need for a strategic and coordinated approach going 
forward.
  In addition to the hearing, committee staff held numerous bipartisan 
meetings and roundtables to inform the development of this bill.
  Quantum information science and technology promises to revolutionize 
the way we solve problems. Many believe that quantum computing 
technology has the potential to accelerate progress on some of the most 
pressing challenges, including how to address climate change and 
understand complex diseases like cancer.
  While it is difficult to predict how far-ranging the societal and 
economic impacts of quantum computing will be, recent breakthroughs 
demonstrate that we are rapidly clearing the necessary engineering 
hurdles. It is truly an exciting time for this bill and for the wide 
range of innovators who are planning to take advantage of these new 
breakthrough capabilities.
  The race is on to build the world's first quantum computer capable of 
solving problems that have long eluded conventional computers. Not 
unlike the space race in the 1960s, the stakes in today's quantum race 
are high. Global leadership in quantum computing brings with it a 
military and intelligence edge, as well as a competitive advantage in 
what many expect to be a massive industry in decades to come.
  At this time, when China, Europe, and Russia are investing heavily in 
quantum research and technology development, it is imperative that we 
do everything we can to maintain our global standing as the leader in 
this area. We must invest more in research. We need to ensure that we 
are educating and training the next generation of top quantum 
scientists and engineers. And we should do more to encourage 
partnerships between academia, industry, and government.
  The National Quantum Initiative Act will set us on the right path. 
H.R. 6227 directs the President to establish a 10-year National Quantum 
Initiative Program, with the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of 
Energy playing lead roles. Through the establishment of a national 
coordination office, an outside advisory committee, and an interagency 
working group, the program will take an integrated government approach 
to accelerating progress in quantum research and development.
  I want to express my appreciation for the deliberative, bipartisan 
process by which we developed this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank 
the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) for those nice 
comments. And she is right, this was a very bipartisan effort and a 
very bipartisan bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Weber), who is also the chairman of the Energy Subcommittee of the 
Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
  Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6227, the 
National Quantum Initiative Act.
  H.R. 6227 coordinates a Federal program to accelerate quantum 
research and development for the economic and national security of the 
United States.
  Quantum technology is a field positioned to fundamentally change the 
way we move and process data. Theoretically, quantum computing could 
allow for the solutions to exponentially large problems, things that 
cannot be accomplished by even the fastest supercomputers today.
  It could allow us, Mr. Speaker, to visualize the structures of 
complex chemicals and materials, to model highly detailed flows of 
potential mass evacuations with precise accuracy--with hurricanes 
abounding today, that is very, very important for us--and to quantify 
subatomic interactions on the cutting edge of nuclear research.
  Quantum computing may also have profound implications for 
cybersecurity technology. And the gentlewoman from Texas alluded to 
this: Should China and Russia beat us to achieving quantum encryption, 
our current security encryption measures would be rendered obsolete. 
You heard Chairman Smith, in his remarks, say that we could possibly 
decode their encryptions in a matter of seconds, if not minutes.
  It is absolutely imperative, Mr. Speaker, that the U.S. maintain its 
leadership in this field. In order to achieve this kind of 
revolutionary improvement in technology, we need foundational knowledge 
in the advanced computing and materials science required to construct 
those quantum systems.

  The Department of Energy, the DOE, Office of Science is the leading 
Federal sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences and robust 
quantum technology research. At Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, the 
National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center, NERSC, allows 
scientists to run simulations of quantum architectures.
  At Argonne National Laboratory's Center for Nanoscale Materials, 
researchers study atomic-scale materials in order to engineer the 
characteristics of quantum information systems; and at Fermi National 
Accelerator Laboratory, scientists are applying their experience in 
high-energy physics to the study of quantum materials.
  Earlier this year, I was privileged to invite several of my 
colleagues to join me on a visit to Argonne and Fermi labs, and we had 
the privilege of speaking with those very scientists conducting this 
groundbreaking research. It really is breathtaking and really is 
ground-shattering, if you ask me, in what it is going to do for 
science.
  Support for basic research in computer science and for computational 
partnerships between industry, academia, and the national labs is 
absolutely necessary to develop the technology needed for future 
commercial quantum systems. For these reasons, I encourage my 
colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 6227.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to 
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).

[[Page H8233]]

  

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Johnson for yielding, and I 
thank her for her leadership on this bill.
  I rise in support of this bipartisan legislation that will make a 
significant national commitment to the field of quantum science and 
engineering, which is critical for our global scientific and 
technological leadership.
  While the benefits of quantum technology may still be a ways off, 
there is fierce international competition in this field, most notably 
from China, and we can't afford to waste any time. It is through 
strategic investments like this that we became the world's economic 
scientific and technology leader, and we can only maintain that 
position through continuing significant investment in cutting-edge 
basic research.
  We already know that other countries are increasing their investments 
in quantum technology, in some cases guided by long-term strategies, 
and this bill will make sure that we develop a coherent strategy of our 
own.
  This bill is a bright spot in what is otherwise a long, downward 
trend in Federal R&D funding as a percentage of GDP. Much as today's 
unbalanced budget leads to future debt problems, today's 
underinvestment in R&D leads to future innovation deficits.
  I commend my colleagues from both parties for working together to 
bring this important bill to the floor, but we want to be clear that 
this is just a first step. We need to double down on our efforts and to 
reprioritize Federal research and development.
  I want to highlight and commend an organization that is a leader in 
the field of quantum information science and engineering and that made 
significant contributions to this bill. The Chicago Quantum Exchange is 
a partnership between the University of Chicago, Argonne National 
Laboratory, and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
  I want to thank Chairman Weber for bringing the Science, Space, and 
Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Energy out to Argonne and Fermi 
earlier this year. He spoke about some of the great work that they are 
doing there.
  The Chicago Quantum Exchange was created to develop and grow 
interdisciplinary collaboration for the exploration and development of 
new quantum-enabled technologies and to help educate a new generation 
of quantum information scientists and engineers.
  Partnership with the private sector is also an important element of 
the exchange. The Chicago Quantum Exchange serves as both an excellent 
model for the Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and 
Education envisioned in this bill and for what the future of R&D and 
quantum information science will look like.
  Finally, I want to thank Chairman Smith for his leadership on this 
bill and for working with us to make this a good, bipartisan piece of 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), who has been a longtime and active 
member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and also the 
former vice chairman of the committee.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6227, the 
National Quantum Initiative Act. This act will move us toward a new 
millennium of computing.
  Computers used to be big, really large, and the ways to make them 
more powerful was thought to be by making them bigger and bigger. 
Enormous mainframes filled entire office floors.
  Well, after some very significant discoveries and development in the 
technological arena, we advanced this technology, making computers 
smaller, lighter, and more capable so we could send, for example, 
astronauts to the Moon. That led to more and more improvements, and now 
computers are in cars, are in our coffee machines and everything else 
that we do. They have gotten so small that most of us can carry them 
around and, perhaps, right now, are carrying them around in our pocket.
  At this point now, we stand on the cusp of another giant leap forward 
for mankind, the quantum leap. By harnessing the natural properties of 
atomic and subatomic particles, we can develop the capabilities in the 
next decade that are far more capable than the systems that we marvel 
about today.
  This act will coordinate our Federal activity, reduce waste and 
redundancy, and ensure that our efforts are strategic. This will keep 
us in advance, and way in advance, of our adversaries around the globe 
and ensure our security and our prosperity.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this act and supporting 
a better future for America and the world.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further 
requests for time, so I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Hultgren), who is one of the few members of the 
Science, Space, and Technology Committee to actually be a member of 
three subcommittees. He is a member of the Energy Subcommittee, the 
Research and Technology Subcommittee, and the Space Subcommittee, and 
we appreciate his active service on the Science, Space, and Technology 
Committee.
  Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith. I appreciate all 
of his hard work and success. And I also want to thank Ranking Member 
Johnson for her bipartisan work on this legislation, as well as her 
work on H.R. 589 that we will be getting over the finish line a little 
bit later in this series.

                              {time}  1415

  Quantum computing represents a paradigm shift in the way that we are 
able to ask questions and comb through data when doing complex 
computational problems. Like many things we do at the Office of 
Science, this endeavor requires time, effort, and commitment.
  Quantum computing was first theorized in the 1980s with researchers 
such as Richard Feynman, the physicist in my district I now know very 
well.
  While every particle physicist draws Feynman diagrams to explain the 
interaction of subatomic particles, his later work in this field may 
have just as lasting an impact that he has had on the field.
  I am proud to represent Fermilab in my district with the Feynman 
Computing Center on campus, and Fermilab is also a partner in the 
Chicago Quantum Exchange with Argonne, the University of Chicago, and 
other partners to further develop quantum systems outside of just 
computing.
  I look forward to the advancements this research will provide, but, 
more importantly, the people we will be able to help.
  We are getting to the point where we can actually use the reams of 
data we first got out of our genome project, and our ability to better 
use this and other data will help us find more targeted cures and 
develop better treatments.
  Similar to what we are doing in this legislation, I also want to 
thank the chairman and ranking member for their efforts on the 
Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act.
  This legislation contains a number of sections from legislation I 
introduced to improve the ability of our national labs to get ideas out 
of the lab and into the private sector.
  The increased flexibility this legislation gives to the labs will 
allow them to better work with universities and the private sector when 
there are capabilities that only exist in our labs.
  These labs have been a passion of mine, with the ability to see two 
of them up close in Illinois. I have seen the innovation engine they 
can be, not just for our Nation, but for local and regional economies.
  It is vital that we continue to support our laboratories, which host 
more than 32,000 researchers from across the Nation, touching nearly, 
if not every, university in the United States.
  This legislation gives the Office of Science clear direction on their 
mission, and I am pleased that we could work with the Senate to get 
this to the President's desk after this vote series.
  Again, I thank the chairman for yielding. I urge passage of these 
important bills.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further 
requests for time.
  I urge support of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no other requests for time 
either,

[[Page H8234]]

and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Woodall). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6227, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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