[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).
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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,
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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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