On January 8, 2026, a bipartisan group of ten US senators introduced S.3597, the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026, seeking to restore and expand a federal coordination framework whose original authorization lapsed in September 2023. The bill was led by Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, according to the Senate Commerce Committee announcement.
The legislation would extend the National Quantum Initiative by five years to December 2034. It reauthorizes quantum research, education, and development initiatives across NIST, NSF, and, for the first time, NASA, which would receive authority to pursue quantum satellite communications and sensing research. The bill would establish up to three new NIST quantum centers focused on sensing, measurement, and engineering, and create five new NSF Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education.
Additional provisions require the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop an international quantum cooperation strategy to coordinate R&D activities with US allies. The Secretary of Commerce would be directed to submit a plan to Congress for strengthening quantum supply chain resilience. The bill also creates new prize challenges to accelerate quantum application and algorithm development through public-private collaboration.
The original National Quantum Initiative Act (Public Law 115-368) was signed in December 2018 and authorized roughly $1.275 billion across DOE, NSF, and NIST. Multiple reauthorization attempts in the 118th Congress failed to advance. The bill received endorsements from IBM, Microsoft, Google, IonQ, Infleqtion, and the Quantum Industry Coalition.