[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S973-S979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina (for himself, Ms. Rosen, Mr.
Lankford, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Graham, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Scott of
Florida, Ms. Hassan, Ms. Collins, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mrs. Capito,
Mr. Gallego, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Crapo, Mr.
Wyden, Mrs. Britt, Mr. Coons, Mr. Cornyn, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr.
Cotton, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Boozman, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Ricketts,
Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Cramer, Ms.
Slotkin, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Warner, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Peters,
Mr. Daines, and Mr. Booker):
S. 558. A bill to provide for the consideration of a definition of
antisemitism set forth by the International Holocaust Rembrance
Alliance for the enforcement of Federal antidiscrimination laws
concerning education programs or activities, and for other purposes; to
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent
that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 558
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Antisemitism Awareness Act
of 2025''.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C.
2000d et seq.), prohibits discrimination on the basis of
race, color, and national origin in programs and activities
receiving Federal financial assistance;
(2) while such title does not cover discrimination based
solely on religion, individuals who face discrimination based
on actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic
characteristics do not lose protection under such title for
also being members of a group that share a common religion;
(3) discrimination against Jews may give rise to a
violation of such title when the discrimination is based on
race, color, or national origin, which can include
discrimination based on actual or perceived shared ancestry
or ethnic characteristics;
(4) it is the policy of the United States to enforce such
title against prohibited forms of discrimination rooted in
antisemitism as vigorously as against all other forms of
discrimination prohibited by such title; and
(5) as noted in the U.S. National Strategy to Counter
Antisemitism issued by the White House on May 25, 2023, it is
critical to--
(A) increase awareness and understanding of antisemitism,
including its threat to America;
(B) improve safety and security for Jewish communities;
(C) reverse the normalization of antisemitism and counter
antisemitic discrimination; and
(D) expand communication and collaboration between
communities.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Antisemitism is on the rise in the United States and is
impacting Jewish students in K-12 schools, colleges, and
universities.
(2) The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance
(referred to in this Act as the ``IHRA'') Working Definition
of Antisemitism is a vital tool which helps individuals
understand and identify the various manifestations of
antisemitism.
(3) On December 11, 2019, Executive Order 13899 extended
protections against discrimination under the Civil Rights Act
of 1964 to individuals subjected to antisemitism on college
and university campuses and tasked Federal agencies to
consider the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism when
enforcing title VI of such Act.
(4) Since 2018, the Department of Education has used the
IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism when investigating
violations of that title VI.
(5) The use of alternative definitions of antisemitism
impairs enforcement efforts by adding multiple standards and
may fail to identify many of the modern manifestations of
antisemitism.
(6) The White House released the first-ever United States
National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism on May 25, 2023,
making clear that the fight against this hate is a national,
bipartisan priority that must be successfully conducted
through a whole-of-government-and-society approach.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act, the term ``definition of
antisemitism''--
[[Page S974]]
(1) means the definition of antisemitism adopted on May 26,
2016, by the IHRA, of which the United States is a member,
which definition has been adopted by the Department of State;
and
(2) includes the ``[c]ontemporary examples of
antisemitism'' identified in the IHRA definition.
SEC. 5. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION FOR TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS
ACT OF 1964.
In reviewing, investigating, or deciding whether there has
been a violation of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
(42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) on the basis of race, color, or
national origin, based on an individual's actual or perceived
shared Jewish ancestry or Jewish ethnic characteristics, the
Department of Education shall take into consideration the
definition of antisemitism as part of the Department's
assessment of whether the practice was motivated by
antisemitic intent.
SEC. 6. OTHER RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
(a) General Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act
shall be construed--
(1) to expand the authority of the Secretary of Education;
(2) to alter the standards pursuant to which the Department
of Education makes a determination that harassing conduct
amounts to actionable discrimination; or
(3) to diminish or infringe upon the rights protected under
any other provision of law that is in effect as of the date
of enactment of this Act.
(b) Constitutional Protections.--Nothing in this Act shall
be construed to diminish or infringe upon any right protected
under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United
States.
______
By Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself and Mr. Sullivan):
S. 573. A bill to designate a mountain in the State of Alaska as
Denali; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about a century-
long dispute. A hundred years plus, there has been a dispute about the
Federal designation of North America's tallest mountain. It is a pretty
majestic picture, but it does nothing to really convey the amazing
grandeur of Denali. It is majestic. It is breathtaking. It is something
that as Alaskans and as a lifelong Alaskan, there is not a day when I
am able to see Denali and just say--just kind of breathe deep, because
it is that extraordinary.
And in my hometown of Anchorage, we are about 250 miles away from
Denali, and on clear days, when you are on the road, just about a mile
from my house, just a little bit of elevation, you can see the
mountain.
And we talk about it that way. We say: She is out. The mountain is
out today. The big one is out today.
It is an extraordinary gift from God, really. Snow-blanketed
crevasses, the ridges are just gleaming in the sun. How this mountain
connects earth to sky beyond, it is just extraordinary.
And, again, this picture is beautiful--obviously, on a summer day.
There is never a time when she is not covered in snow, but Denali can
also be one of the coldest, most treacherous places on Earth.
It has storms in the middle of winter. You expect that. But it has
storms in the middle of July that obey no rules. It has its own rules.
Denali creates its own weather. It literally creates its own weather.
I had an opportunity to go up on Ruth Glacier on my birthday. My
birthday happens to be the end of May. It was going to be an
extraordinary big-ticket item--it was a big-ticket item, but we were
chased off that mountain after about 40 minutes because the weather
which, when we had arrived at the mountain, was pretty great, and in 40
minutes, she was shutting down, and we were either going to be spending
the night there, which was not prime condition to do, or we were
getting off in order to get out safely. You respect her.
But it is a place where you respect the nature around you because
what can be that perfect day can descend with wind and snow into chaos.
It falls on you so quickly, you can't see your own footprints in the
snow.
The lives that have been lost and the legends of the stories told
remain, but no matter what happens with the weather, as transitory as
all that is, Denali stands resilient and true.
For centuries, the Koyukon Athabascans have lived, they have hunted,
they have foraged, they have loved, they have died, they have survived
in the shadow of this great mountain.
They have been on the waterways, in the valleys, on the hills, and in
the ridges. Alaska Natives have persevered in one of the most
challenging climates, and they have done so in harmony with the food
supply and the surroundings around them.
Denali is Koyukon for ``the Great One,'' for ``the Great One.'' This
is how Native people have always known it, and as the great witness of
untold stories from their ancestors.
The very first-ever map to label the mountain read ``Tenada,'' and
this is a transcription of Denali--again, the Great One.
The first mountaineers to summit the peak called it Denali. It is
interesting to note that the first individual to actually summit was
not the mountaineers who had paid for the climb, but it was the Alaskan
Native guide who took them safely and successfully to the top. But it
is the same Native people, those same mountaineers that were baffled
that anyone would dare to modify the original Native name.
And yet, in 1917, the mountain was not named Denali. And there is a
fair amount of legend that comes with that as well, that there was a
trapper who came out of the woods--this was during the early days of
the President McKinley administration--and he said: Out of respect,
let's honor the new President.
But much like Native lands, health, and culture, you just don't come
in and say we are going to disregard, we are going to disrespect the
rightful name, the name that had been in place for generations, for
thousands of years.
And so since that time in 1917, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names
has received over 20,000 letters and signatures, most of them--the vast
majority of them calling for the name Denali to be restored.
This massive mountain commands a reverent name, a steadfast name--not
the name of an individual, a person who comes and goes, who may have
had an impact for a brief moment in time.
But this is ageless, timeless. The Great One, 20,310 feet tall, the
tallest mountain in North America. So when you have something that is
that significant, that is that connected as part of the land in ways
that are beyond just a mere name--but, again, a reverence with which
you speak of this piece of land, this geography.
When Alaskans leave our home State and boast to outsiders, whether
spinning a globe or just talking about it, we say: That is Denali. That
is the Great One. She is out today.
So that is why today I have introduced legislation that would
officially restore the federally recognized name of this quintessential
mountain as Denali.
Now, this is not the first time I have done this. This is actually
the fourth Congress that I have introduced this legislation. Maybe I am
persistent; I think Alaskans are just very resilient, and we will
continue to be. We will continue to be because this magnificent
mountain is something that each of us holds in our hearts, that we hold
dear. For these last 100 years or so, we have continued to call our
great mountain Denali, regardless, and will continue to do that 100
years going forward. Denali existed before any person, and it will
remain long after we are dust.
So I share this with my colleagues today, letting you know that we
put this legislation out there. My introduction follows on the actions
of the Alaska State Legislature--both the house and the senate have
moved a resolution urging us in Congress to move forward with this and
officially restore the federally recognized name, and so I am pleased
to be able to begin that process today.
______
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Daines, Mr. Schumer, Ms.
Murkowski, Mr. Young, and Mr. Padilla):
S. 579. A bill to amend the National Quantum Initiative Act to
provide for a research, development, and demonstration program, and for
other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 579
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Energy Quantum
Leadership Act of 2025''.
[[Page S975]]
SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE
RESEARCH PROGRAM.
Section 401 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15
U.S.C. 8851) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall carry out
a research, development, and demonstration program on quantum
information science, engineering, and technology.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, engineering, and
technology'' after ``science'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, engineering, and
technology'' after ``science'';
(C) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) provide research experiences and training for
additional undergraduate and graduate students in quantum
information science, engineering, and technology, including
in the fields specified in paragraph (4);'';
(D) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as
paragraphs (5) through (7), respectively;
(E) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) operate National Quantum Information Science Research
Centers under section 402 to accelerate and scale scientific
and technical breakthroughs in quantum information science,
engineering, and technology, and maintain state-of-the-art
infrastructure for quantum researchers and industry partners;
``(4) conduct cooperative basic and applied research with
industry, National Laboratories, institutions of higher
education, and other research institutions to facilitate the
development, demonstration, and commercial application of
quantum information science, engineering, and technology
priorities, as determined by the Secretary of Energy,
including in the fields of--
``(A) quantum information theory;
``(B) quantum physics;
``(C) quantum computational science, including hardware and
software, machine learning, and data science;
``(D) applied mathematics and algorithm development;
``(E) quantum communications and networking, including
hardware and software for quantum communications and
networking;
``(F) quantum sensing, imaging, and detection;
``(G) materials science and engineering;
``(H) quantum modeling and simulation, including molecular
modeling;
``(I) near- and long-term application development, as
determined by the Secretary of Energy;
``(J) quantum chemistry;
``(K) quantum biology;
``(L) superconductive and high-performance
microelectronics; and
``(M) quantum security technologies;'';
(F) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated), in subparagraph
(F), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(G) in paragraph (7) (as so redesignated)--
(i) by striking ``and'' before ``potential''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``,
and other relevant stakeholders, as determined by the
Secretary of Energy; and''; and
(H) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) leverage the collective body of knowledge and data,
including experience and resources from existing Federal
research activities and commercially available quantum
computing hardware and software, to the extent
practicable.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Industry Outreach.--In carrying out the program under
subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall engage with the
quantum technology industry and promote commercialization of
applications of quantum technology relevant to the activities
of the Department of Energy by--
``(1) educating--
``(A) the energy industry on near-term and commercially
available quantum technologies; and
``(B) the quantum industry on potential energy
applications;
``(2) accelerating the advancements of United States
quantum computing, communications, networking, sensing, and
security capabilities to protect and optimize the energy
sector;
``(3) advancing relevant domestic supply chains,
manufacturing capabilities, and associated simulations or
modeling capabilities;
``(4) facilitating commercialization of quantum
technologies from National Laboratories and engaging with the
Quantum Economic Development Consortium and other
organizations, as applicable, to transition component
technologies that advance the development of a quantum supply
chain; and
``(5) to the extent practicable, ensuring industry partner
access, especially for small- and medium-sized businesses, to
specialized quantum instrumentation, equipment, testbeds, and
other infrastructure to design, prototype, and test novel
quantum hardware and streamline user access to reduce costs
and other administrative burdens.
``(d) High-performance Computing Strategic Plan.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of Energy shall
submit to Congress a 10-year strategic plan to guide Federal
programs in designing, expanding, and procuring hybrid,
energy-efficient high-performance computing systems capable
of integrating with a diverse set of accelerators, including
quantum, artificial intelligence, and machine learning
accelerators, to enable the computing facilities of the
Department of Energy to advance national computing resources.
``(2) Contents.--The strategic plan under paragraph (1)
shall include the following:
``(A) A conceptual plan to leverage capabilities and
infrastructure from the exascale computing program, as the
Secretary of Energy determines necessary.
``(B) A plan to minimize disruptions to the advanced
scientific computing workforce.
``(C) A consideration of a diversity of quantum computing
modalities.
``(D) A plan to integrate cloud access of commercially
available quantum hardware and software to complement on-
premises high-performance computing systems and resources
consistent with the QUEST program established under section
404.
``(e) Early-stage Quantum High-performance Computing
Research and Development Program.--
``(1) Definition of quantum high-performance computing.--In
this subsection, the term `quantum high-performance
computing' means the use of classical high-performance
computing systems with quantum processing units and hybrid
quantum-classical algorithms to leverage the strength of
computational architectures and solve complex problems.
``(2) Program.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish an
early-stage research and development program in quantum high-
performance computing--
``(A) to inform the 10-year strategic plan described in
subsection (d)(1); and
``(B) to build the necessary scientific computing workforce
to fulfill the objectives of that plan.
``(3) Activities.--The program established under paragraph
(2) shall--
``(A) support early-stage quantum supercomputing testbeds
and prototypes; and
``(B) connect early-stage quantum high-performance
computing projects to the Centers funded under this Act.
``(4) Funding.--Of funds made available under subsection
(i)(1), the Secretary of Energy shall use not more than
$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to
carry out the activities under this subsection.
``(f) Supply Chain Study.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of
Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall
conduct a study on quantum science, engineering, and
technology supply chain needs, including--
``(1) identifying hurdles to growth in the quantum industry
by leveraging the expertise of relevant stakeholders in
academia and industry, including the Quantum Economic
Development Consortium; and
``(2) making recommendations on how to strengthen the
domestic supply of materials and technologies necessary for
the development of a robust manufacturing base and workforce.
``(g) Traineeship Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish
a university-led traineeship program--
``(A) to address workforce development needs in quantum
information science, engineering, and technology; and
``(B) that will focus on supporting increased
participation, workforce development, and research
experiences for underrepresented undergraduate and graduate
students.
``(2) Funding.--Of funds made available under subsection
(i)(1), the Secretary of Energy shall use not more than
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to
carry out the activities under this subsection.
``(h) Coordination of Activities.--In carrying out this
section, the Secretary of Energy shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, coordinate with the Director of the National
Science Foundation, the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, the Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Director of the
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the heads of
other relevant Federal departments and agencies to ensure
that programs and activities carried out under this section
complement and do not duplicate existing efforts across the
Federal government.
``(i) Funding.--
``(1) In general.--Of amounts authorized to be appropriated
for the Department of Energy, the Secretary of Energy shall
use not more than $175,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026
through 2030 to carry out activities under this section.
``(2) Restrictions.--
``(A) Confucius institute.--None of the funds made
available under this subsection may be obligated to or
expended by an institution of higher education that maintains
a contract or other agreement with a Confucius Institute or
any successor of a Confucius Institute.
``(B) Foreign countries and entities of concern.--
``(i) Definitions.--In this subparagraph:
``(I) Foreign country of concern.--The term `foreign
country of concern' means--
``(aa) a covered nation (as defined in section 4872(d) of
title 10, United States Code); and
[[Page S976]]
``(bb) any other country that the Secretary of Energy, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of
State, and the Director of National Intelligence, determines
to be engaged in conduct that is detrimental to the national
security or foreign policy of the United States.
``(II) Foreign entity of concern.--The term `foreign entity
of concern' means a foreign entity that--
``(aa) is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by
the Secretary of State under section 219(a) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189(a));
``(bb) is included on the list of specially designated
nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of
Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury;
``(cc) is owned by, controlled by, or subject to the
jurisdiction or direction of a government of a foreign
country that is a covered nation (as defined in section
4872(d) of title 10, United States Code);
``(dd) is alleged by the Attorney General to have been
involved in activities for which a conviction was obtained
under--
``(AA) chapter 37 of title 18, United States Code (commonly
known as the `Espionage Act');
``(BB) section 951 or 1030 of title 18, United States Code;
``(CC) chapter 90 of title 18, United States Code (commonly
known as the `Economic Espionage Act of 1996');
``(DD) the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et
seq.);
``(EE) section 224, 225, 226, 227, or 236 of the Atomic
Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2274, 2275, 2276, 2277, 2284);
``(FF) the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C.
4801 et seq.); or
``(GG) the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); or
``(ee) is determined by the Secretary of Energy, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Director
of National Intelligence, to be engaged in unauthorized
conduct that is detrimental to the national security or
foreign policy of the United States.
``(ii) Restriction.--None of the funds made available under
this subsection may be obligated or expended to promote,
establish, or finance quantum research activities between a
United States entity and a foreign country of concern or a
foreign entity of concern.''.
SEC. 3. DOE QUANTUM INSTRUMENTATION AND FOUNDRY PROGRAM.
The National Quantum Initiative Act is amended by inserting
after section 401 (15 U.S.C. 8851) the following:
``SEC. 401A. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM INSTRUMENTATION AND
FOUNDRY PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish
an instrumentation and infrastructure program to carry out
the following:
``(1) Maintain United States leadership in quantum
information science, engineering, and technology.
``(2) Develop domestic quantum supply chains.
``(3) Provide resources for the broader scientific
community.
``(4) Support activities carried out under sections 401,
402, 403, and 404.
``(b) Program Components.--In carrying out the program
under subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall--
``(1) develop, design, build, purchase, and commercialize
specialized equipment, laboratory infrastructure, and state-
of-the-art instrumentation to advance quantum engineering
research and the development of quantum component
technologies at a scale sufficient to meet the needs of the
scientific community and enable commercialization of quantum
technology;
``(2) leverage the capabilities of National Laboratories
and Nanoscale Science Research Centers, including facilities
and experts that research and develop novel quantum materials
and devices; and
``(3) consider the technologies and end-use applications
that have significant economic potential, as determined by
the Secretary, based on consultation with relevant
stakeholders in academia and industry, including the Quantum
Economic Development Consortium.
``(c) Quantum Foundries.--In carrying out the program under
subsection (a), and in coordination with institutions of
higher education and industry, the Secretary of Energy shall
support the development of quantum foundries focused on
meeting the device, hardware, software, and materials needs
of the scientific community and the quantum supply chain.
``(d) Consultation.--In carrying out the program under
subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall consult with
the following entities to identify the instrumentation,
equipment, infrastructure, and materials needed to support
the objectives of that program:
``(1) The National Institute of Standards and Technology.
``(2) The National Science Foundation.
``(3) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
``(4) Any other relevant Federal agency.
``(5) The National Laboratories.
``(6) National Quantum Information Science Research
Centers.
``(7) Industry stakeholders.
``(8) Institutions of higher education.
``(9) Any other research institution.
``(e) Funding.--Of amounts authorized to be appropriated
for the Department of Energy, the Secretary of Energy shall
use not more than $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026
through 2030 to carry out this section.''.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH
CENTERS.
Section 402 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15
U.S.C. 8852) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``basic''; and
(ii) by striking ``science and technology and to support
research conducted under section 401'' and inserting
``science, engineering, and technology, expand capacity for
the domestic quantum workforce, and support research
conducted under sections 401, 403, and 404''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting ``that may include 1
or more commercial entities'' after ``collaborations'';
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``and should be
inclusive of the variety of viable quantum technologies, as
appropriate'' before the period at the end;
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``basic''; and
(B) by inserting ``, engineering, and technology,
accelerating quantum workforce development,'' after
``science'';
(4) in subsection (e), by striking paragraph (2) and
inserting the following:
``(2) Renewal.--Each Center established under this section
may be renewed for an additional period of 5 years following
a successful, merit-based review and approval by the
Director.''; and
(5) in subsection (f), in the first sentence--
(A) by striking ``$25,000,000'' and inserting
``$35,000,000''; and
(B) by striking ``2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``2026
through 2030''.
SEC. 5. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
Section 403 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15
U.S.C. 8853) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (4)--
(i) by inserting ``, including'' after ``networking''; and
(ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) as applicable, leverage a diversity of modalities and
commercially available quantum hardware and software; and
``(7) develop education and training pathways related to
quantum network infrastructure investments, aligned with
existing programmatic investments by the Department of
Energy.''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as
subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively; and
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration and the head of any other relevant
Federal agency, as determined by the Secretary;'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``ground-to-space
and'' before ``space-to-ground'';
(ii) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``photon-based'' and
inserting ``all applicable modalities of'';
(iii) in subparagraph (F), by inserting ``, quantum
sensors,'' after ``quantum repeaters'';
(iv) in subparagraph (G)--
(I) by inserting ``data centers,'' after ``repeaters,'';
and
(II) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(v) in subparagraph (H)--
(I) by striking ``the quantum technology stack'' and
inserting ``quantum technology modality stacks''; and
(II) by striking ``National Laboratories in'' and inserting
``National Laboratories such as''; and
(vi) by adding at the end the following:
``(I) development of quantum network and entanglement
distribution protocols or applications, including development
of network stack protocols and protocols enabling integration
with existing technologies or infrastructure; and
``(J) development of high-efficiency room-temperature
photon detectors for quantum photonic applications, including
quantum networking and communications;'';
(C) in paragraph (4)--
(i) by striking ``basic''; and
(ii) by striking ``material'' and inserting ``materials'';
and
(D) in paragraph (5), by striking ``fundamental''; and
(3) in subsection (d), by striking ``basic research'' and
inserting ``research, development, and demonstration''.
SEC. 6. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM USER EXPANSION FOR
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
Section 404 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15
U.S.C. 8854) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``and quantum computing clouds'' and inserting ``, software,
and cloud-based quantum computing'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) to enable development of software and applications,
including estimation of resources needed to scale
applications; and
[[Page S977]]
``(6) to develop near-term quantum applications to solve
public and private sector problems.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) enable users to develop algorithms, software tools,
simulators, and applications for quantum systems using cloud-
based quantum computers; and
``(7) partner with appropriate public- and private-sector
entities to develop training and education opportunities on
prototype and early-stage devices to support commercial
applications.'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (8) as
paragraphs (5) through (9), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration;''; and
(4) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) $38,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
``(7) $39,900,000 for fiscal year 2029; and
``(8) $41,895,000 for fiscal year 2030.''.
______
By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Lankford, Mrs. Hyde-
Smith, Mr. Hagerty, Mr. Daines, Mr. Tuberville, Mr. Sheehy, Mr.
Johnson, Mr. Mullin, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Justice, Mr. Cornyn, Mr.
Wicker, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr.
Tillis, Mr. Budd, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Barrasso, Mr.
Risch, Mr. Boozman, Ms. Ernst, Mr. Moran, Mr. Marshall, Mr.
Cramer, Mr. Ricketts, Mr. Scott of Florida, Mr. Kennedy, Mr.
Rounds, Ms. Lummis, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Graham, Mr. McCormick,
Mrs. Britt, Mr. Young, Mr. Cotton, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Banks,
Mr. Curtis, Mr. Schmitt, Mr. Lee, Mr. Hawley, Mr. Cruz, and Mr.
Moreno):
S. 587. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal
the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, later today, I will introduce a bill to
repeal the death tax.
As I mentioned, as a resident of a rural State filled with family
farms and ranches, I have made death tax repeal a priority for a long
time, and I was proud to help secure a doubling of the death tax
exemption in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This doubled exemption has
provided certainty to a lot of farms and ranches and small businesses
over the past 7 years, but the expanded exemption is expiring at the
end of this year. It is my hope that we will not merely extend this
exemption but that we will get rid of this fundamentally flawed tax
once and for all.
The death tax is fundamentally flawed both in theory and in practice.
There should be a limit to how many times the government can tax you.
The money you leave at your death has already been taxed by the
government at least once, which makes the death tax double taxation,
and the government isn't even profiting all that much from this double
taxation. That is right. The death tax accounts for a teeny, tiny
fraction of government revenue. In fact, there is reason to believe
that the government would collect more in taxes if it got rid of the
death tax entirely due to the economic growth and job creation that
would stem from its elimination.
So how is there any support left for this burdensome tax? That is a
good question. For some, of course, heavy taxation is axiomatic. ``Do
well,'' their thinking runs, ``and the government should come after
you.'' Some think that you shouldn't be able to pass the results of
hard work down to your children upon your death.
Well, death tax proponents tend to talk as if the death tax only
affects the extremely wealthy, but nothing, of course, could be further
from the truth. The death tax can sweep up those who have very little
in the bank--notably, family farms and ranches and family businesses.
How? Well, farming and ranching is often a cash-poor business. A farmer
might have substantial looking assets on paper, but the vast majority
of that is land and farming equipment. Only a small fraction of it is
money in the bank.
On top of that, farmland can often be valued at a level that is
inconsistent with its agricultural productivity value. A farmer might
have land with a substantial value on paper, but the crop yield on that
land could be worth far, far less.
So what happens when a farmer or a rancher dies and his estate is
subject to the tax? There is a very good chance that his liquid
assets--in other words, the cash he has available in the bank--won't
come close to covering the tax bill from the Federal Government, and
the only alternative for his heirs may be to start selling off land or
farm equipment to pay the tax. In some cases, they will be able to keep
the farm, just a smaller version of it; in others, they may have to
sell off the family farm entirely.
The case is similar with family-owned businesses. The owner might
appear to have substantial looking assets on paper, but only a small
fraction of that may be money in the bank. The vast majority may be
tied up in the business. Once again, when the Federal Government comes
around, demanding a huge portion of this individual's taxable estate,
there may not be anywhere close to enough money in the bank to pay the
tax. To pay the Federal Government, the owner's descendants will have
to sell off part or all of the family business.
Now, family farms and ranches are the lifeblood of the rural
communities in South Dakota. They are a source of jobs. They provide
support for local businesses. They help build up local schools and
local infrastructure. Losing a local farm can hit rural communities
very, very hard, especially when that farm or ranch is bought up by an
out-of-State business with few ties to the community and limited
interest in building it up.
It is not just those who actually get hit by the estate tax who
suffer. A lot of family farms and ranches and family businesses spend a
lot of time and money on estate planning to avoid being hit by this
tax. That is time and money that could have gone into building their
business, investing in new equipment, hiring new workers, and the list
goes on.
Some set aside capital to prepare for the death tax--capital that,
again, could go into building up a farm or ranch or hiring new workers
for the family business.
As one of my Democrat colleagues, the senior Senator from Washington,
said a while back:
The estate tax is bad for businesses. It is bad for workers
and new job creation. And it is bad for our communities who
are watching their local, family-owned businesses get
swallowed up by large corporations.
As I said, we protected a lot more family farms and family businesses
by doubling the death tax exemption in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act back
in 2017, but we didn't protect them all. And those we did protect will
lose those protections at the end of this year. It is time to end this
punishing and burdensome tax once and for all.
I want to thank my Republican colleagues who have joined me in
sponsoring this legislation. I hope that 2025 will be the year that we
permanently bid farewell to the death tax.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 587
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Death Tax Repeal Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. REPEAL OF ESTATE AND GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFER
TAXES.
(a) Estate Tax Repeal.--Subchapter C of chapter 11 of
subtitle B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 2210. TERMINATION.
``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b),
this chapter shall not apply to the estates of decedents
dying on or after the date of the enactment of the Death Tax
Repeal Act of 2025.
``(b) Certain Distributions From Qualified Domestic
Trusts.--In applying section 2056A with respect to the
surviving spouse of a decedent dying before the date of the
enactment of the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025--
``(1) section 2056A(b)(1)(A) shall not apply to
distributions made after the 10-year period beginning on such
date, and
[[Page S978]]
``(2) section 2056A(b)(1)(B) shall not apply on or after
such date.''.
(b) Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Repeal.--Subchapter G
of chapter 13 of subtitle B of such Code is amended by adding
at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 2664. TERMINATION.
``This chapter shall not apply to generation-skipping
transfers on or after the date of the enactment of the Death
Tax Repeal Act of 2025.''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) The table of sections for subchapter C of chapter 11 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the
end the following new item:
``Sec. 2210. Termination.''.
(2) The table of sections for subchapter G of chapter 13 of
such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new
item:
``Sec. 2664. Termination.''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply to the estates of decedents dying, and
generation-skipping transfers, after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. MODIFICATIONS OF GIFT TAX.
(a) Computation of Gift Tax.--Subsection (a) of section
2502 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read
as follows:
``(a) Computation of Tax.--
``(1) In general.--The tax imposed by section 2501 for each
calendar year shall be an amount equal to the excess of--
``(A) a tentative tax, computed under paragraph (2), on the
aggregate sum of the taxable gifts for such calendar year and
for each of the preceding calendar periods, over
``(B) a tentative tax, computed under paragraph (2), on the
aggregate sum of the taxable gifts for each of the preceding
calendar periods.
``(2) Rate schedule.--
``If the amount with respect to which The tentative
the tentative tax to be computed is:. tax is:
Not over $10,000....................... 18% of such amount.
Over $10,000 but not over $20,000...... $1,800, plus 20% of the excess
over $10,000.
Over $20,000 but not over $40,000...... $3,800, plus 22% of the excess
over $20,000.
Over $40,000 but not over $60,000...... $8,200, plus 24% of the excess
over $40,000.
Over $60,000 but not over $80,000...... $13,000, plus 26% of the excess
over $60,000.
Over $80,000 but not over $100,000..... $18,200, plus 28% of the excess
over $80,000.
Over $100,000 but not over $150,000.... $23,800, plus 30% of the excess
over $100,000.
Over $150,000 but not over $250,000.... $38,800, plus 32% of the excess
over $150,000.
Over $250,000 but not over $500,000.... $70,800, plus 34% of the excess
over $250,000.
Over $500,000.......................... $155,800, plus 35% of the
excess over $500,000.''.
(b) Treatment of Certain Transfers in Trust.--Section 2511
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at
the end the following new subsection:
``(c) Treatment of Certain Transfers in Trust.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section and
except as provided in regulations, a transfer in trust shall
be treated as a taxable gift under section 2503, unless the
trust is treated as wholly owned by the donor or the donor's
spouse under subpart E of part I of subchapter J of chapter
1.''.
(c) Lifetime Gift Exemption.--
(1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 2505(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
``(1) the amount of the tentative tax which would be
determined under the rate schedule set forth in section
2502(a)(2) if the amount with respect to which such tentative
tax is to be computed were $10,000,000, reduced by''.
(2) Inflation adjustment.--Section 2505 of such Code is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Inflation Adjustment.--
``(1) In general.--In the case of any calendar year after
2011, the dollar amount in subsection (a)(1) shall be
increased by an amount equal to--
``(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under
section 1(f)(3) for such calendar year by substituting
`calendar year 2010' for `calendar year 2016' in subparagraph
(A)(ii) thereof.
``(2) Rounding.--If any amount as adjusted under paragraph
(1) is not a multiple of $10,000, such amount shall be
rounded to the nearest multiple of $10,000.''.
(d) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 2505(a) of such Code is amended by striking the
last sentence.
(2) The heading for section 2505 of such Code is amended by
striking ``unified''.
(3) The item in the table of sections for subchapter A of
chapter 12 of such Code relating to section 2505 is amended
to read as follows:
``Sec. 2505. Credit against gift tax.''.
(e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply to gifts made on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(f) Transition Rule.--
(1) In general.--For purposes of applying sections 1015(d),
2502, and 2505 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the
calendar year in which this Act is enacted shall be treated
as 2 separate calendar years one of which ends on the day
before the date of the enactment of this Act and the other of
which begins on such date of enactment.
(2) Application of section 2504(b).--For purposes of
applying section 2504(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, the calendar year in which this Act is enacted shall be
treated as one preceding calendar period.
______
By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Booker, Mr.
Coons, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. Hirono,
Mr. Kaine, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Murphy, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Reed,
Mr. Sanders, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Schiff, Ms. Warren, Mr.
Whitehouse, and Mr. Wyden):
S. 597. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the
purchase of certain firearms by individuals under 21 years of age, and
for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Age 21 Act,
a vital piece of legislation aimed at reducing gun violence and
enhancing the safety of all Americans.
The Age 21 Act would prohibit the sale of assault weapons, large-
capacity ammunition, and related items to individuals under the age of
21.
However, this bill includes reasonable exceptions to allow temporary
transfer or possession of assault weapons for specific activities, such
as recreational use or work-related responsibilities, including Active
military service.
Every American has the right to live free from the fear of gun
violence. Yet this epidemic continues to devastate our communities,
claiming over 46,000 lives in 2023 alone, the third-highest number of
gun-related deaths ever recorded. This ongoing crisis demands urgent
and meaningful action.
[[Page S979]]
Assault weapons--engineered for military purposes--are designed to
inflict maximum damage in the shortest amount of time. Unsurprisingly,
they are frequently chosen by those who perpetrate mass violence. Their
deadly impact is tragically evident in many of our Nation's darkest
moments.
In 2022, an 18-year-old gunman in Uvalde, TX, used an AR-15-style
rifle to kill 19 children and 2 teachers at Robb Elementary School. In
2018, a 19-year-old gunman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in
Parkland, FL, murdered 17 students and staff members with an AR-15
rifle. And in 2012, a 20-year-old gunman used an AR-15-style rifle to
kill 20 children and 6 educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in
Newtown, CT.
These are not isolated incidents but part of devastating pattern.
Data shows that more than 85 percent of fatalities in public mass
shootings involving four or more deaths are caused by assault rifles.
The evidence is clear: These weapons amplify the scale of violence and
loss of life.
Scientific research supports raising the minimum age for accessing
such destructive weapons. Studies show that the human brain continues
to develop into a person's mid-20s, particularly in areas related to
impulse control, judgment, and long-term planning. Recognizing this,
Federal law already restricts the purchase of alcohol and tobacco to
individuals over 21, commonsense measures to protect public safety.
Assault weapons, with their unparalleled potential for destruction,
deserve no less consideration.
Americans deserve to feel safe in their schools, places of worship,
and neighborhoods. By passing the Age 21 Act, we can take a meaningful
step to reduce the availability of these deadly weapons to young
individuals, helping to save lives and prevent future tragedies.
Public safety is a shared responsibility, and this bill represents an
important measure to strengthen our collective efforts to combat gun
violence. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this
legislation and working to pass the Age 21 Act as swiftly as possible.
______
By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Moran, and Mr.
Lankford):
S. 602. A bill to amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 to support research and development of ungulate
grazing land management techniques for purposes of wildfire mitigation,
fuel reduction, and post-fire recovery; to the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the bipartisan
Wildfire Resilience Through Grazing Research Act. This legislation aims
to advance research into the use of hooved animal grazing as a tool for
wildfire prevention, mitigation, and recovery.
Wildfires in the U.S. are becoming more frequent, intense, and
destructive, posing significant threats to lives, ecosystems, and
property. The economic and ecological costs of these fires are
devastating. To mitigate future risks and support postfire recovery, we
must adopt effective land management strategies. One promising and
natural method is ungulate grazing, which has proven effective in
reducing the fuel loads that exacerbate fire spread.
However, we still lack sufficient scientific understanding of how to
optimize grazing practices for wildfire mitigation while avoiding
potential environmental harms. Supporting this research will allow the
Federal Government, as well as private landowners, to make grazing a
core, cost-effective tool in wildfire prevention, working alongside
other mitigation strategies to protect our landscapes, our communities,
and our way of life.
Our bipartisan bill would add the Grazing for Wildfire Mitigation
Initiative to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA)
High-Priority Research List. Specifically, this initiative would
support research and development of ungulate grazing land management
techniques that promote wildfire mitigation, fuels reduction, and
postfire recovery. In addition, it would support information
dissemination of ungulate grazing land management techniques that
support wildfire mitigation to public and private landowners, land
managers, and livestock owners.
I would like to thank my colleagues Senators Moran, Hirono, and
Lankford for their leadership in introducing this bipartisan
legislation with me. I urge my colleagues to support the Wildfire
Resilience Through Grazing Research Act, and I look forward to working
together to ensure our communities are better prepared to face the
challenges posed by increasingly frequent and severe wildfires.
______
By Mr. KAINE (for himself and Mr. Warner):
S. 603. A bill to designate the General George C. Marshall House in
the Commonwealth of Virginia, as an affiliated area of the National
Park System, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources.
Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, today, I am joining with Senator Mark
Warner to again introduce legislation to designate the General George
C. Marshall House, also known as the Dodona Manor, in Leesburg, VA, as
an affiliated area under the National Park Service. This same bill
passed unanimously in the Senate at the end of the 118th Congress.
The legislation will be the final step in the yearslong effort to
recognize the Dodona Manor as a unit of the National Park System. It
will also promote the public appreciation of the significant historic
contributions made by U.S. military leader and statesman George C.
Marshall.
George C. Marshall was an American hero, playing a significant role
in the Allied victory in World War II and serving as an architect of
one of the most significant foreign policy initiatives in our country's
history. He led a lifetime of public service, serving as Chief of Staff
to the Army during America's entry into World War II, as Secretary of
State, where he orchestrated the historic Marshall Plan to rebuild
Europe following the war and provided counsel to Presidents Roosevelt
and Truman, and as Secretary of Defense after the onset of the Korean
war. He acquired Dodona Manor while serving as the Chief of Staff of
the U.S. Army in 1941 and lived there until his death in 1959.
Today, the George C. Marshall House is dedicated to preserving and
advancing General Marshall's life's work and legacy by hosting
international exchanges, historical exhibits, and community events, and
supporting educational programming based on General Marshall's desire
to inspire future leaders. The legislation would bring greater
resources, including technical assistance, accessibility improvements,
and new programming, to this historical site and enable the Marshall
House to improve and expand its work.
I am hopeful that this designation will provide new resources to
preserve, honor, and celebrate General Marshall's legacy at this
historic site, and I am pleased that companion legislation is also
being introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by my colleague
Representative Suhas Subramanyam.
____________________