A full House committee hearing examined whether the United States is positioned to retain leadership in quantum science and technology, reviewing federal programs, industrial progress, workforce needs and national security implications.
A full House committee hearing examined whether the United States is positioned to retain leadership in quantum science and technology, reviewing federal programs, industrial progress, workforce needs and national security implications.
Lawmakers and technical witnesses convened at a full House committee hearing titled "Assessing U.S. Leadership in Quantum Science and Technology" to evaluate the country’s strategic footing in a field that promises to reshape computing, communications and sensing. The session explored federal investment, research infrastructure, industrial competitiveness and national security risks tied to advances in quantum information science (QIS).
Members of the committee pressed witnesses on several themes that recur across U.S. science and technology policy debates: whether current funding and coordination are adequate; how government and industry can accelerate commercialization; whether the U.S. workforce pipeline will produce enough skilled researchers and technicians; and what measures are required to protect sensitive capabilities and intellectual property.
The hearing drew testimony from agency officials, academic researchers and industry representatives. Witnesses emphasized both the scientific promise of QIS and the practical hurdles that remain before many envisioned applications are realized.
Quantum information science leverages behaviors of quantum systems — superposition, entanglement and interference — to perform tasks that are difficult or impossible for classical systems. The most publicized application is quantum computing, which exploits qubits to explore large computational spaces in ways classical bits cannot. Other fields including quantum sensing, communications and simulation also stand to deliver transformative capabilities.
Federal policymakers increasingly view QIS as a technology with broad economic and national security implications. In 2018, Congress enacted the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) to coordinate federal research and development efforts across agencies, to accelerate applications and to strengthen education and workforce development in the field. The initiative created a centralized coordination role housed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). For details on the program and its objectives, the NIST overview is available here: NIST — National Quantum Initiative.
Several federal agencies play distinct roles in U.S. quantum strategy:
In prepared remarks and testimony to Congress, agency witnesses typically note that coordination — across agencies and with industry — is essential because quantum research spans basic science, engineering and supply-chain issues.
Private sector activity ranges from deep-pocketed multinational technology firms operating their own quantum research programs to startups pursuing specialized hardware, software and algorithmic approaches. Public demonstrations of progress — such as the announcement by Google in 2019 claiming a milestone in quantum computational advantage — highlighted rapid scientific advances and drew public attention to the commercial stakes. See Google's publication on that experiment: Nature — Quantum supremacy using a programmable superconducting processor.
Industry witnesses at the hearing argued that public-private partnerships are essential to move devices and algorithms from research prototypes to production-grade systems that are reliable, scalable and cost-effective. They urged predictable long-term funding for shared infrastructure such as testbeds, cryogenic systems and foundry services that many startups cannot afford independently.
Committee members repeatedly framed the debate about leadership by referencing international activity. Several countries and regions, including the European Union, China and Canada, have announced national strategies with public investments and dedicated research centers aiming to capture economic and strategic benefits.
Analysts and official reports warn that leadership in QIS will depend on sustained investment, supply-chain security and the capacity to translate research breakthroughs into industrial capabilities. For a congressional perspective on global policy questions, see the Congressional Research Service background paper: CRS — Quantum Technologies: Background and Issues for Congress.
One of the most cited security concerns is the ability of sufficiently powerful quantum computers to break widely used public-key cryptographic schemes, which underpin secure communications and many digital services. That risk has driven work at NIST and other agencies on post-quantum cryptography (PQC) — algorithms designed to be secure against attacks by quantum computers.
NIST explains its role: "NIST initiated a process to solicit, evaluate, and standardize post-quantum cryptographic algorithms to help safeguard sensitive information against future quantum-enabled adversaries." See the program details here: NIST PQC.
Witnesses emphasized the need for a coordinated national strategy to harden government and critical infrastructure systems against future quantum-enabled threats. They also highlighted that while the precise timeline for quantum-capable cryptanalytic machines is uncertain, the process of replacing cryptographic infrastructure is lengthy and must begin well in advance of any projected capability.
Technical witnesses identified workforce development as a persistent bottleneck. Quantum systems require multidisciplinary talent — physicists, engineers, computer scientists, materials scientists and technicians skilled in cryogenics and microfabrication.
Recommendations included:
NSF materials and agency program officers pointed to existing university-industry partnerships and networked testbeds as models for accelerating workforce readiness. See NSF QIS program materials: NSF — Quantum Information Science and Engineering.
Standardization and rigorous metrology are prerequisites for moving quantum devices into commercial use. NIST and other metrology institutions develop protocols and reference standards for benchmarking quantum processors, characterizing qubit fidelity and ensuring reproducibility across labs and vendors.
Committee witnesses stressed that without agreed-upon standards, customers cannot reliably compare products, slowing procurement and adoption. NIST’s role in measurement science, including quantum benchmarking, was presented as central to establishing trust in nascent markets.
Manufacturing quantum hardware often requires specialized materials, ultra-low-temperature components, high-purity fabrication and advanced packaging. Several witnesses noted that many of these capabilities are concentrated in a small number of suppliers globally, creating potential vulnerabilities.
Testimony called for federal backing to shore up domestic supply chains for critical components, support domestic foundry capacities for quantum devices and invest in shared facilities that would lower barriers to entry for startups.
During the hearing, members and witnesses identified a set of policy instruments that could influence the trajectory of U.S. leadership in QIS:
Although witnesses represented different sectors, several themes recurred in their written testimony and oral remarks.
On the role of government coordination, the National Quantum Initiative’s statutory language frames the federal role as one of acceleration and coordination. The legislation describes the initiative’s purpose in broad terms: "to accelerate the development of quantum information science and technology applications in the United States, including by facilitating coordination and collaboration among Federal agencies, industry, and academia." The full legislative text and description is available via the NQI materials at NIST: NIST — National Quantum Initiative.
On the cryptographic transition, NIST’s post-quantum cryptography program has been presented to Congress as an essential preparatory step. As NIST notes, it has "launched an effort to identify and standardize quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms so that communities can prepare now for migration to new standards before large-scale quantum computers are available." Details and status updates are posted here: NIST PQC.
Academic and industry researchers participating in the hearing underscored the dual nature of quantum research: long-term basic science alongside short-to-medium-term engineering challenges. A widely cited assessment of the field's potential is the National Academies analysis, which discusses both opportunities and significant technical challenges: National Academies — Quantum Computing: Progress and Prospects.
Committee members signaled that future oversight and legislative activity could target multiple levers: appropriations levels for the agencies leading quantum work, authorizations to expand or modify interagency coordination mechanisms, and targeted programs to build workforce capacity or domestic manufacturing. Some members also indicated interest in scrutinizing the implementation of export controls and related security measures.
Witnesses and analysts agree on uncertainty over timing: while certain scientific milestones have been achieved, projecting when large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers or broadly applicable quantum advantage will arrive remains difficult. That uncertainty complicates decisions about the scale and timing of investments and about which near-term technologies to prioritize for public support.
Another open question involves how to balance openness — a hallmark of scientific progress — with protections intended to prevent technology from enabling hostile capabilities. Policymakers must weigh collaboration with allies and academic openness against concerns about intellectual property transfer and adversarial access to powerful capabilities.
Industry representatives who testified argued for policies that reduce technical risk and create predictable demand signals for quantum-enabled products. They stressed that early adopters in government and industry can help prove the value of quantum-enhanced sensing, communications and specific algorithmic applications.
Academic witnesses emphasized the foundational role of curiosity-driven research: many practical advances originate in university labs. They urged continued strong federal support for basic research, alongside mechanisms to translate discoveries into engineered systems.
Committee leaders indicated that the hearing is part of a broader monitoring and policy development effort. Near-term indicators to watch include:
For readers seeking primary sources and deeper technical background, several public resources provide detailed information:
The full committee hearing "Assessing U.S. Leadership in Quantum Science and Technology" highlighted an array of converging themes: the transformative potential of quantum capabilities; the need for sustained, coordinated public investment; gaps in workforce and manufacturing readiness; and the national security implications that accompany strategic technological advances. Witnesses from government, academia and industry emphasized that preserving and extending U.S. leadership will require both continued investment in fundamental research and pragmatic measures to mature technologies, cultivate talent, and secure supply chains.
Lawmakers signaled that oversight and possible legislative action are likely to follow, focusing on budgets, coordination mechanisms and targeted programs that could accelerate the transition from laboratory advances to societal and economic impact. The path forward will involve trade-offs between openness and protection, short-term engineering needs and long-term scientific inquiry, and the public and private sectors’ respective roles in building a resilient, innovative quantum ecosystem.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and does not represent investment or legal advice.
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