[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 133 (Friday, August 1, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5251-S5253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 3490. Mrs. BLACKBURN submitted an amendment intended to be
proposed by her to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for
fiscal year 2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense,
for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department
of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal
year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as
follows:
At the appropriate place in title II, insert the following:
SEC. 2__. JOINT QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE DEFENSE
TRANSITION ACTIVITIES.
Chapter 301 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after section 4001 the following new section:
``Sec. 4002. Joint quantum information science defense
transition activities
``(a) Activities Required.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall establish
a set of activities to accelerate the adoption and
implementation quantum information science technology within
the Department of Defense.
``(2) Elements.--Pursuant to the activities established
under paragraph (1), the Secretary, acting through the
Principal Quantum Advisor designated under subsection (b),
shall--
``(A) explore and identify quantum information science
technologies and use cases that--
``(i) have demonstrated value in advancing the priorities
and missions of the Department; and
``(ii) may be applied to address operational problems;
``(B) develop plans to transition such quantum information
science technologies from the research and development phase
to operational use within the Department, including within
each of the Armed Forces; and
``(C) carry out such transition plans.
``(b) Designation of Principal Quantum Advisor.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall
designate a senior official of the Department of Defense to
serve as the Principal Quantum Advisor for the Department.
``(2) Responsibilities.--The Principal Quantum Advisor
shall serve as the official within the Department of Defense
with principal responsibility for--
``(A) coordinating activities relating to the accelerated
demonstration and transition of quantum information science
technologies for applications specific to operational
challenges faced by the Department;
``(B) coordinating, overseeing, and managing the set of
activities established under subsection (a);
``(C) carrying out the activities described in paragraphs
(3) through (6); and
``(D) carrying out such other duties relating to the
development and implementation of quantum information science
technologies as the Secretary may direct.
``(3) Defining and codifying defense quantum information
science use cases.--
``(A) In general.--The Principal Quantum Advisor shall--
``(i) identify operational challenges faced by the
Department of Defense that have the potential to be addressed
through the use of quantum information science-technology
based solutions, including solutions based on the quantum
information science technology areas described subparagraph
(C);
``(ii) for each such challenge, determine if the
implementation of a quantum information science technology-
based solution has the potential to be significantly more
effective at addressing such challenge compared to a non-
quantum information science technology-based solution, taking
into account the technology and manufacturing readiness level
of the quantum information science technology-based solution;
``(iii) for each potential quantum information science
technology-based solution identified under clause (ii),
evaluate and determine the technology and manufacturing
readiness level of the solution taking into account the
current readiness level of such solution--
``(I) within the Department;
``(II) among other departments and agencies of the Federal
Government;
``(III) among Five Eyes countries; and
``(IV) within academia and industry.
``(iv) for each quantum information science technology-
based solution determined under clause (iii) to have a
technology and manufacturing readiness level of 5 or higher,
begin prototyping and evaluation activities of such solution
at scale in operationally relevant environments by not later
than the end of fiscal year 2025; and
``(v) for each quantum information science technology-based
solution determined under
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clause (iii) to have a technology and manufacturing readiness
level of 4 or lower, submit to Congress a plan for funding
such solution over the period of five fiscal years following
the date of the report using research, development, test, and
evaluation funds designated as budget activity 1 (basic
research), budget activity 2 (applied research), budget
activity 3 (advanced technology development), or budget
activity 4 (advanced component development and prototypes) as
those budget activity classifications are set forth in volume
2B, chapter 5 of the Department of Defense Financial
Management Regulation (DOD 7000.14-R), or successor
regulation.
``(B) Coordination.--In carrying out this paragraph, the
Principal Quantum Advisor shall coordinate with and seek
input from the Armed Forces and unified combatant commands--
``(i) to identify and better understand the operational
requirements of such Armed Forces and commands; and
``(ii) to ensure that the timeline for transitioning any
quantum information science technology-based capability to
operational use within the Armed Forces and combatant
commands aligns with--
``(I) the plans of such Forces and commands across the
period covered by the future-years defense program; and
``(II) the program objective memorandum processes for such
Forces and commands.
``(C) Quantum information science technology areas
described.--The quantum information science technology areas
described in this subparagraph are the following:
``(i) Quantum sensing, including--
``(I) alternative precision navigation and timing;
``(II) undersea or underground detection;
``(III) advanced intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance quantum imaging techniques; and
``(IV) biomedical and health care.
``(ii) Quantum computing, including--
``(I) annealing;
``(II) quantum-enabled machine learning;
``(III) simulation and optimization; and
``(IV) integrating quantum computing with high-performance
supercomputing.
``(iii) Quantum annealing.
``(iv) Quantum communications, networking, and networked
quantum computers.
``(v) Quantum-enabled modeling and simulation.
``(vi) Hybrid quantum computing and the integration of
quantum and classical computing components.
``(vii) Such other quantum-enabled technologies as the
Principal Quantum Advisor considers appropriate.
``(4) Acceleration of development and fielding of quantum
information science technologies.--The Principal Quantum
Advisor shall--
``(A) use the flexibility of regulations, personnel,
acquisition, partnerships with industry and academia, or
other relevant policies of the Department to accelerate the
transition and fielding of quantum information science
technologies;
``(B) ensure engagement with combatant commands, defense
and private industries, research universities, and
unaffiliated, nonprofit research institutions on matters
relating such quantum information science technologies; and
``(C) provide technical advice and support organizations
and elements of the Department of Defense, including the
Armed Forces, to optimize the use of quantum information
science technologies to meet mission requirements.
``(5) Industry and academia engagement.--
``(A) Inclusion in consortium.--The Secretary, in
coordination with the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, shall ensure that the Principal
Quantum Advisor is included in the activities of the
consortium established pursuant to section 201(b) of the
National Quantum Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 8831(b)).
``(B) Outreach activities.--Not less frequently than once
each quarter, the Principal Quantum Advisor shall conduct
outreach and engagement with industry and academic leaders--
``(i) to educate organizations in the quantum information
science industrial base on national security quantum
information science use cases and operational challenges
faced by the Department that have the potential to be
addressed through the use of quantum information science
technology-based solutions as described in paragraph (3);
``(ii) to the extent determined appropriate by the
Principal Quantum Advisor, provide industry with the
opportunity to identify quantum information science
technology-based solutions to operational challenges faced by
the Department;
``(iii) to educate organizations in the Defense industrial
base on near-term and commercially available quantum
information science technology-based solutions that provide
operationally relevant warfighting capabilities;
``(iv) to advance relevant quantum information science
supply chains and manufacturing capabilities within the
United States and among allies and partners of the United
States; and
``(v) to facilitate the commercialization of quantum
information science technology-based solutions developed by
the research and engineering organizations of the Department
of Defense.
``(6) Allied quantum enhancement.--
``(A) Alignment with aukus efforts.--Based on the quantum
information science use cases identified under paragraph
(3)(A)(ii), the Principal Quantum Advisor shall--
``(i) identify areas in which the United Kingdom and
Australia, pursuant to Pillar II the partnership among
Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States
(commonly known as `AUKUS' ) are pursuing technology aligned
with such use cases; and
``(ii) align Department research and development and
procurement funding in relation to quantum information
science technologies on accelerating opportunities where
Australia and the United Kingdom are pursuing such
technologies.
``(B) Multilateral aukus and nato meetings.--The Principal
Quantum Advisor shall organize--
``(i) a recurring multilateral meeting of quantum
technology experts from the United States, the United
Kingdom, and Australia to facilitate information-sharing and
planning relevant to quantum information science technology
and defense-specific use cases for such technology; and
``(ii) a recurring multilateral meeting of quantum
technology experts from member nations of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization to facilitate such information-sharing
and planning.
``(c) Strategic Plan.--
``(1) Plan required.--The Secretary shall develop strategic
plan to guide the development, assessment, procurement, and
implementation of quantum information science technologies
within the Department over the period of five years following
the date of the plan.
``(2) Elements.--The plan required under paragraph (1)
shall include the following:
``(A) Plans for the continuous evaluation, development, and
implementation of quantum information science technology
solutions within the Department.
``(B) Plans for the development, review, performance
evaluation, and adoption of a fault-tolerant, utility-scale
quantum computer and the transition of that capability to
appropriate organizations and elements of the Department,
including the Armed Forces, and such other departments and
agencies of the Federal Government as the Secretary
determines appropriate.
``(C) Plans for allocating the resources of the Department
to ensure such resources are focused on quantum information
science technologies with the potential to solve operational
challenges.
``(D) Identification of quantum information science
technologies that--
``(i) have critical defense-specific applications;
``(ii) cannot be adapted from commercially available
quantum information science technology; and
``(iii) are unlikely to be pursued or accelerated by
industry because of limited commercial value.
``(E) Plans for supporting the development of capabilities
identified under subparagraph (D).
``(F) Plans to help strengthen the quantum information
science supply chain domestically and among trusted allies
and against untrusted adversaries, including through an
assessment of--
``(i) any associated strengths, weaknesses, opportunities
and threats; and
``(ii) critical components, suppliers, and single points of
failure.
``(3) Report to congress.--Not later than one year after
the date of the enactment of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, the Secretary shall
submit to Congress a report that includes the plan developed
under paragraph (1).
``(d) Commercial Security Strategy.--The Secretary shall
adopt a comprehensive security strategy for commercially
developed capabilities based on the guide utilized in the
Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing
program of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
``(e) National Security Quantum Information Science
Adoption Acceleration Testbed.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary of Defense, in
consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary
of Energy, shall establish a national defense quantum
information science joint center of excellence (referred to
in this subsection as the `Center').
``(2) Organization.--The Center shall be operated by the
Secretary and shall include participation from at least the
following organizations:
``(A) One or more research laboratories of the Armed
Forces.
``(B) A National Laboratory (as defined in section 2 of the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801)).
``(C) A federally funded research and development center or
a university-affiliated research center.
``(D) Quantum information science companies.
``(3) Location.--The Secretary of Defense shall establish
the Center at a location in the United States that is
reasonably accessible to each organization described in
paragraph (2).
``(4) Activities.--The Center shall carry out the following
activities:
``(A) Facilitate quantum information science technology
transition and workforce development activities.
[[Page S5253]]
``(B) Conduct outreach to enhance industry and academia's
understanding of and contribution to national security
quantum information science technology use cases and current
operational challenges faced by the Department.
``(C) Prototype quantum information science technologies,
with priority given to the prototyping and transition of
quantum information science-enabled position, navigation, and
timing efforts and quantum sensors at technology readiness
level six or higher.
``(D) Integrate the prototyping activities under
subparagraph (C) with the needs of the unified combatant
commands.
``(E) Accelerate the transition of advanced quantum
information science technology from the research and
development phase into operational use.
``(F) Expand the quantum information science workforce of
the United States and the quantum information science
workforces of nations that are allies and partners of the
United States.
``(5) Contract authority.--The Secretary may award grants
and enter into contracts and other agreements, on a
competitive basis, to support the activities of the Center.
``(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $20,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.
``(f) Research Opportunities and Workforce Planning.--
``(1) Enhancement of research opportunities.--Not later
than one year after the date of the enactment of National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, the Secretary
shall seek to increase opportunities for the study of quantum
information science within--
``(A) the military service academies.
``(B) the Reserve Officers' Training Corps; and
``(C) other institutions and programs of the Department and
the Armed Forces that provide postsecondary and graduate
level education.
``(2) Standard operating procedures.--The Secretary shall
direct the chief of each Armed Force, in consultation with
the heads of the research laboratories under the jurisdiction
of such Armed Force--
``(A) to adopt internal standard operating procedures for
quantum information science workforce development to monitor
and evaluate progress toward human capital goals and human
capital programmatic results; and
``(B) to involve top management, employees, and other
stakeholders in quantum information science workforce
planning by--
``(i) developing and implementing an enterprise-wide
strategic quantum workforce plan; and
``(ii) communicating quantum workforce goals, initiatives,
and metrics for evaluating success throughout each
laboratory.
``(g) Budget Review.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall, acting through the
Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), require the
Secretaries of the military departments and the heads of the
Defense Agencies with responsibilities associated with any
quantum information science activity to transmit the proposed
budget for such activities for a fiscal year and for the
period covered by the future-years defense program submitted
to Congress under section 221 of this title for that fiscal
year to the Principal Quantum Advisor for review before
submitting the proposed budget to the Under Secretary of
Defense (Comptroller).
``(2) Report to secretary.--The Principal Quantum Advisor
shall review each proposed budget transmitted, and, not later
than January 31 of the year preceding the fiscal year for
which the budget is proposed, shall submit to the Secretary a
report containing the comments of the Principal Quantum
Advisor with respect to all such proposed budgets, together
with the certification of the Principal Quantum Advisor
regarding whether each proposed budget is adequate.
``(3) Report to congress.--Not later than March 31 of each
year, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a
report specifying each proposed budget that the Principal
Quantum Advisor did not certify to be adequate. The report of
the Secretary shall include the following matters:
``(A) A discussion of the actions that the Secretary
proposes to take, together with any recommended legislation
that the Secretary considers appropriate, to address the
inadequacy of the proposed budgets specified in the report.
``(B) Any additional comments that the Secretary considers
appropriate regarding the inadequacy of the proposed budgets.
``(h) Definitions.--In this section;
``(1) The term `Five Eyes countries' means the following:
``(A) Australia.
``(B) Canada.
``(C) New Zealand.
``(D) The United Kingdom.
``(E) The United States.
``(2) The term `quantum information science' means the use
of the laws of quantum physics for the storage, transmission,
manipulation, computing, or measurement of information.''.
______