Durbin, Daines Laud Passage Of Their Bipartisan Quantum Computing Legislation In Energy & Natural Resources Committee

Durbin, Daines Laud Passage Of Their Bipartisan Quantum Computing Legislation In Energy & Natural Resources Committee

Durbin and Daines' DOE Quantum Leadership Act was reported favorably out of Committee with a voice vote

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) today applauded the passage of their bipartisan legislation, the Department of Energy (DOE) Quantum Leadership Act, out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources by a voice vote. The legislation aims to reinvigorate research and development (R&D) projects at DOE by authorizing $2.5 billion in funding over the next five years - well above the $625 million for DOE-related programs laid out in the now-expired National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018. The DOE Quantum Leadership Act would also provide DOE the authority to expand its current quantum R&D initiatives.

"When America invests in science, we lead the world. And nowhere is this truer than in advanced computing. With Illinois poised to become a global hub for technology and innovation in quantum computing, we must ensure that our federal funding will support our scientists in reaching their full potential," said Durbin. "I'm encouraged that the Energy and Natural Resources Committee sees the value in funding DOE's quantum projects by passing my bipartisan bill with Senator Daines. I hope to see the DOE Quantum Leadership Act receive a vote in the full Senate, proving to the American people that we will continue leading the quantum computing revolution."

"America is a global leader in science and technology, and hundreds of Montanans work hard every day to move forward on quantum research and technology. I'm happy to see progress on renewing our bipartisan DOE Quantum Energy Act, which will accelerate quantum research, increase our national security, and bolster the economy both in Montana and across the nation," Daines said.

Specifically, the DOE Quantum Leadership Act would:

• Reauthorize and expand quantum R&D activities across DOE through 2029;
• Build upon the foundational work of DOE's five National Quantum Research Centers, including those at Illinois' Fermilab and Argonne National Labs;
• Direct DOE to study and address quantum supply chain challenges and reduce barriers to commercialization;
• Increase interagency and industry coordination; and
• Establish new programs to support the workforce demands of the growing quantum R&D and commercial ecosystems.

In September, Durbin attended a Committee hearing on the legislation, speaking in support of the bill and emphasizing its importance to Illinois' two national labs, Argonne and Fermilab.

Durbin has been a strong supporter of pushing quantum research forward. In July, he visited MxD in Chicago to discuss integrating quantum technology into manufacturing processes. He also joined Illinois leaders to announce the new partnership between the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Illinois - Quantum Proving Ground - to promote quantum computing research, development, and manufacturing in the state. In June, Durbin met with Dr. Stefanie Tompkins, Director of DARPA to discuss Illinois' R&D role in the defense industry.

In August, Durbin joined Illinois leaders in celebrating the newly-announced location of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park's (IQMP) at USX on the South Side of Chicago and the announcement of the quantum campus' first anchor tenant, PsiQuantum. Illinois plans to invest $500 million into the new quantum campus to attract Fortune 500 companies and startups in quantum computing.

A section by section of the bill is available here.

A copy of the bill text is available here.

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