Congress Examines U.S. Standing in Quantum Science and Technology

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Congress Examines U.S. Standing in Quantum Science and Technology

A House committee convened a full-committee hearing to assess American leadership in quantum science and technology, focusing on investments, workforce, supply chains, and national security implications.

Sultan Sikander

January 16, 2026

9Min Reads

Science and Technology

Congress Weighs U.S. Strategy for Quantum Science and Technology

On Capitol Hill, members of the House convened for a full-committee hearing titled "Assessing U.S. Leadership in Quantum Science and Technology," focusing national attention on the United States' position in a field many experts consider foundational for next-generation computing, sensing, communications and national security capabilities.

Purpose of the Hearing

The hearing brought together lawmakers, agency officials, and outside experts to evaluate federal strategies, investments and policy tools intended to sustain and expand American leadership in quantum information science (QIS). Testimony and questioning covered a range of topics including research funding, workforce development, industrial adoption, supply-chain resilience, and the national security implications of advances in quantum computing and quantum communications.

The hearing is part of an ongoing congressional review of the federal response to QIS following the passage of the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) and subsequent agency programs. The hearing page, including witness lists and submitted testimony, is publicly available on the committee's website (House.gov).

Background: Where U.S. Quantum Policy Stands

Quantum information science studies and exploits quantum mechanical phenomenaâ€”such as superposition and entanglementâ€”to perform computation, sensing, and secure communication tasks that are infeasible with classical systems. Because of its broad potential impact, the federal government has pursued a cross-agency strategy to accelerate research and translate discoveries into practical capabilities.

The National Quantum Initiative Act (2018) created a framework to coordinate federal investments in quantum research and workforce development, and it authorized multi-agency activity across the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Department of Energy (DOE). The act also called for the creation of a National Quantum Coordination Office (text of the act).

Federal agencies have launched targeted programs and centers. The Department of Energy announced a portfolio of national quantum research centers; NIST has led work on measurement, standards and quantum-safe cryptography; and NSF supports university research and education programs (DOE press release on quantum centers, NIST QIS page, NSF QIS programs).

Federal attention to quantum has also been informed by national security assessments and government research agencies that have highlighted both opportunity and riskâ€”most notably the threat that sufficiently advanced quantum computers could undermine widely deployed public-key cryptography used to secure communications and critical infrastructure (NIST on post-quantum cryptography).

Why Quantum Matters Now

Quantum technologies are often described as a general-purpose technology with the potential to enable new classes of applications across industry, defense, and science. The timing has become urgent as governments and private companies globally increase investments.

Among the motivations driving congressional interest:

Economic competitiveness: Quantum-enabled materials discovery and optimization could accelerate development cycles in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and energy technologies.

National security: Quantum sensing could improve detection capabilities, while quantum communications promise fundamentally secure links. Conversely, quantum computing could break cryptographic systems that underpin national defense and commerce.

Scientific advantage: Quantum simulators and computers can provide novel tools for understanding complex quantum systems across physics, chemistry, and materials science.

Key Issues Raised at the Hearing

Witnesses and committee members explored several recurring themes. Below are the principal areas of focus and the arguments advanced during the proceedings.

Investment and Coordination

Representatives asked whether federal funding levels are commensurate with the magnitude of the opportunity and with investments by international competitors. The U.S. strategy, as established by the National Quantum Initiative and implemented across agencies, involves both foundational research support and investments aimed at translation.

Agency witnesses described interagency coordination mechanisms, while industry and academic witnesses urged predictable, sustained funding to support multi-year research programs and national-scale facilities.

"Sustained, coordinated investment across basic research, infrastructure and translation is necessary to maintain U.S. leadership," witnesses told the committee. See agency statements on coordination and strategy at the committee's hearing page (House.gov).

Workforce and Education

Multiple witnesses emphasized a looming workforce gap. Building, programming, and operating quantum systems require expertise in physics, engineering, computer science and materials science. Greater capacity across higher education, technical training programs, and industry partnerships was a recurring recommendation.

Universities and national labs cited the need for more graduate-level training and support for interdisciplinary curricula.

Industry representatives stressed apprenticeship-like programs and collaboration with community colleges to broaden access to the technical pipeline.

Industrial Base and Supply Chains

Committee members probed whether the U.S. has a resilient supply chain for critical materials and components used in quantum devices. While some foundational componentsâ€”such as cryogenic systems, specialized semiconductors, rare-earth materials, and ultra-low-loss optical componentsâ€”are available from domestic suppliers, the committee explored gaps that could slow scaling from lab prototypes to commercial systems.

Witnesses argued for targeted investments in manufacturing, test infrastructure, and standards development to accelerate commercialization.

Standards, Measurement and Security

NIST officials underscored the agency's role in developing measurement standards and leading the transition to quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms. NIST has been running a multi-year effort to evaluate and standardize post-quantum cryptography algorithms for public deployment (NIST post-quantum cryptography).

As NIST has warned, "the emergence of quantum computers capable of breaking widely used public-key systems necessitates rigorous migration planning and development of post-quantum standards" (NIST QIS).

International Competition and Collaboration

Lawmakers and witnesses discussed the dual challenge of competing with other nationsâ€”particularly where state-led industrial strategies accelerate quantum capabilitiesâ€”while also collaborating with allies to establish shared standards and supply chains.

Some committee members highlighted concerns that rival nations' investments in quantum research and manufacturing could outpace U.S. efforts without a coherent industrial policy and strategic partnerships.

Voices from the Hearing and Expert Perspectives

Witness testimony reflected a diversity of perspectives, from academic researchers to industry leaders and agency officials. Below are representative viewpoints and references to detailed testimonies and agency materials.

Agency Perspectives

Department of Energy representatives discussed the DOE's national center model and its role in supporting long-term, mission-driven quantum research. The DOE has organized national laboratories to pursue collaborative research and scale-up efforts that bridge fundamental physics and engineering.

NIST emphasized its work on measurement science and standards. In particular, NIST's leadership in the post-quantum cryptography standardization process has been framed as central to national resilience against future quantum-enabled threats (NIST on quantum-safe cryptography).

Academic and Industry Testimony

Academic witnesses stressed the need for sustained basic research funding and for graduate and undergraduate programs that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries. Industry witnesses highlighted the transition challenges from research to production, including reproducibility, manufacturing tolerances, and system-integration hurdles.

One recurring theme in testimony was the importance of public-private partnershipsâ€”leveraging federal funds to de-risk early-stage technologies and attract private capital for commercialization.

Security Community

National security witnesses noted both defensive and offensive implications. On defense, quantum sensing and communications could yield new capabilities for navigation and secure communications. On offense, the potential for quantum computers to break existing cryptographic protections raises urgency for migration to post-quantum algorithms.

Government reports and analysis, including those issued by oversight bodies, have recommended that agencies prioritize transition planning for critical systems that use vulnerable cryptography (GAO has produced analyses on quantum and cybersecurity topics).

Data and Metrics: Measuring Leadership

Quantifying "leadership" in quantum science is complex. Measures include:

Research output: peer-reviewed publications and high-impact results in quantum algorithms, materials and device demonstrations.

Human capital: the number and quality of trained researchers, engineers and technicians specializing in QIS.

Infrastructure and facilities: national laboratories, foundries, and testbeds capable of scaling quantum devices.

Commercial activity: startups, venture capital investment, and industrial adoption of quantum-enabled services.

Standards and policy leadership: contributions to international standards and the global governance of quantum-enabled technologies.

While the United States remains a leading source of fundamental research and talent, analysts point to rapid increases in government-directed investments and capacity-building in other countriesâ€”creating a dynamic and contested global landscape.

Budget and Funding Trends

Federal funding for quantum research has grown since the National Quantum Initiative Act, flowing through NSF, DOE, DARPA, NIST and other agencies. The multi-agency approach is intended to support basic research, centers of excellence, and testbeds for technology translation. Congressional oversight at hearings such as this aims to evaluate whether budgets and appropriations will sustain the necessary trajectory.

Experts at the hearing urged transparency about program timelines and milestones so Congress can better match funding to strategic goals.

Policy Options Discussed

During the hearing, lawmakers and witnesses discussed several policy approaches that Congress could consider to strengthen U.S. posture in QIS:

Increase predictable, multi-year research funding to reduce the boom-and-bust cycle that can hamper long-term projects.

Create incentives for industry to invest in domestic manufacturing of critical components and to partner with national labs and universities.

Support workforce development programs that span K-12 outreach, community college pathways, and university programs focused on quantum engineering and applied QIS.

Prioritize standards development and support NIST-led efforts for measurement and cryptographic transition planning.

Coordinate with allies on research priorities, standards, and secure supply chains.

Expert Observations and External Analysis

Independent analysts and organizations have highlighted similar themes. For instance, oversight reports and policy analyses emphasize the need for:

Clear strategic goals that link research investments to measurable outcomes.

Balanced investment across discovery science, engineering, and commercialization pathways.

Risk management for cryptographic transitions and critical infrastructure protection.

For further background and analysis on federal efforts, see the National Quantum Initiative Act (text), DOE's portfolio of quantum centers (DOE announcement), and NIST's post-quantum cryptography work (NIST program).

Challenges and Risks Ahead

Despite progress, several challenges emerged from the hearing and supporting materials:

Uncertainty about timelines: Quantum computing milestones remain difficult to predict, complicating planning for industry and government.

Scale-up and engineering: Many quantum demonstrations succeed at small scales in the lab but face significant hurdles in scaling to fault-tolerant, production-ready systems.

Supply chain vulnerability: Dependence on specialized components and materials can create bottlenecks.

Security transition complexity: Replacing cryptographic systems across government and industry is a large, multi-year effort requiring early planning.

International Dynamics

The hearing also underscored geopolitical considerations. Some nations have adopted whole-of-government approaches to accelerate quantum capabilities. Committee members and witnesses discussed the implications of those approaches for U.S. competitiveness and for opportunities to collaborate with partners in research, standard-setting and trusted supply chains.

What Comes Next

Following the hearing, members of the committee may use the testimony and staff briefings to inform appropriations decisions, oversight plans and potential legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening the U.S. quantum enterprise. Future congressional activity could include:

Targeted funding increases for identified gaps in research or manufacturing.

New programs for workforce development and education.

Legislation to accelerate standards adoption and cryptographic migration across federal systems.

Keeping a balance between support for fundamental research and incentives for commercialization will remain a key policy tension as lawmakers consider how best to preserve national leadership while managing risks.

Conclusion

The House hearing on "Assessing U.S. Leadership in Quantum Science and Technology" highlighted consensus among lawmakers, agency officials and academic and industry witnesses that quantum technologies could reshape strategic, economic and scientific landscapes. Participants emphasized the need for coordinated, sustained investment; expanded workforce development; resilient supply chains; and careful planning to address national security implicationsâ€”particularly the transition to quantum-resistant cryptography. As countries around the world accelerate their own quantum programs, Congress faces decisions about how to structure federal support to both maintain American innovation leadership and mitigate risk.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and does not represent investment or legal advice.