The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology passed H.R. 6213, the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, in late November 2023. The bipartisan bill was introduced on November 3, 2023, by Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). The markup followed a full committee hearing titled “Advancing American Leadership in Quantum Technology” held earlier in the session.
The reauthorization came after the original National Quantum Initiative Act’s authorization of appropriations for certain R&D activities expired on September 30, 2023. According to the House Science Committee, the bill required the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a strategy for cooperative quantum research with U.S. allies, authorized NIST to establish up to three new centers for quantum sensing, measurement, and engineering, and strengthened workforce programs at the National Science Foundation.
Additional provisions authorized the creation of new quantum testbeds through NSF’s Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships Directorate and directed the Secretary of Energy to develop a strategy for promoting the commercialization of quantum computing. The bill also brought NASA formally into the National Quantum Initiative for the first time. The Quantum Industry Coalition, IBM, Google, D-Wave, and the Computing Research Association endorsed the legislation. Despite advancing through committee, the bill did not receive a full House vote during the 118th Congress.