119-s579

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 579 Introduced in Senate

    (IS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 S. 579

To amend the National Quantum Initiative Act to provide for a research, 
 development, and demonstration program, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 February 13, 2025

 Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Daines, Mr. Schumer, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. 
 Young, and Mr. Padilla) introduced the following bill; which was read 
 twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

To amend the National Quantum Initiative Act to provide for a research, 
 development, and demonstration program, and for other purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Energy Quantum 
Leadership Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH 
 PROGRAM.

 

Section 401 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 8851) 
is amended--

    (1) by striking subsection

    (a) and inserting the following:
 ``

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall carry out a 
research, development, and demonstration program on quantum information 
science, engineering, and technology.'';

    (2) in subsection

    (b) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) , by inserting ``, engineering, 
 and technology'' after ``science'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) , by inserting ``, engineering, 
 and technology'' after ``science'';
            (C) by striking paragraph

    (3) and inserting the 
 following:
 ``

    (3) provide research experiences and training for 
 additional undergraduate and graduate students in quantum 
 information science, engineering, and technology, including in 
 the fields specified in paragraph

    (4) ;'';
            (D) by redesignating paragraphs

    (3) through

    (5) as 
 paragraphs

    (5) through

    (7) , respectively;
        (E) by inserting after paragraph

    (2) the following:
 ``

    (3) operate National Quantum Information Science Research 
 Centers under 

section 402 to accelerate and scale scientific 
 and technical breakthroughs in quantum information science, 
 engineering, and technology, and maintain state-of-the-art 
 infrastructure for quantum researchers and industry partners;
 ``

    (4) conduct cooperative basic and applied research with 
 industry, National Laboratories, institutions of higher 
 education, and other research institutions to facilitate the 
 development, demonstration, and commercial application of 
 quantum information science, engineering, and technology 
 priorities, as determined by the Secretary of Energy, including 
 in the fields of--
 ``
        (A) quantum information theory;
 ``
        (B) quantum physics;
 ``
            (C) quantum computational science, including 
 hardware and software, machine learning, and data 
 science;
 ``
            (D) applied mathematics and algorithm 
 development;
 ``
        (E) quantum communications and networking, 
 including hardware and software for quantum 
 communications and networking;
 ``
        (F) quantum sensing, imaging, and detection;
 ``
        (G) materials science and engineering;
 ``
        (H) quantum modeling and simulation, including 
 molecular modeling;
 ``
            (I) near- and long-term application development, 
 as determined by the Secretary of Energy;
 ``
        (J) quantum chemistry;
 ``
        (K) quantum biology;
 ``
            (L) superconductive and high-performance 
 microelectronics; and
 ``
            (M) quantum security technologies;'';
        (F) in paragraph

    (6) (as so redesignated), in 
 subparagraph
        (F) , by striking ``and'' at the end;
        (G) in paragraph

    (7) (as so redesignated)--
            (i) by striking ``and'' before 
 ``potential''; and
            (ii) by striking the period at the end and 
 inserting ``, and other relevant stakeholders, 
 as determined by the Secretary of Energy; 
 and''; and
        (H) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (8) leverage the collective body of knowledge and data, 
 including experience and resources from existing Federal 
 research activities and commercially available quantum 
 computing hardware and software, to the extent practicable.''; 
 and

    (3) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (c) Industry Outreach.--In carrying out the program under 
subsection

    (a) , the Secretary of Energy shall engage with the quantum 
technology industry and promote commercialization of applications of 
quantum technology relevant to the activities of the Department of 
Energy by--
 ``

    (1) educating--
 ``
        (A) the energy industry on near-term and 
 commercially available quantum technologies; and
 ``
        (B) the quantum industry on potential energy 
 applications;
 ``

    (2) accelerating the advancements of United States 
 quantum computing, communications, networking, sensing, and 
 security capabilities to protect and optimize the energy 
 sector;
 ``

    (3) advancing relevant domestic supply chains, 
 manufacturing capabilities, and associated simulations or 
 modeling capabilities;
 ``

    (4) facilitating commercialization of quantum 
 technologies from National Laboratories and engaging with the 
 Quantum Economic Development Consortium and other 
 organizations, as applicable, to transition component 
 technologies that advance the development of a quantum supply 
 chain; and
 ``

    (5) to the extent practicable, ensuring industry partner 
 access, especially for small- and medium-sized businesses, to 
 specialized quantum instrumentation, equipment, testbeds, and 
 other infrastructure to design, prototype, and test novel 
 quantum hardware and streamline user access to reduce costs and 
 other administrative burdens.
 ``
            (d) High-Performance Computing Strategic Plan.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
 enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of Energy shall 
 submit to Congress a 10-year strategic plan to guide Federal 
 programs in designing, expanding, and procuring hybrid, energy-
 efficient high-performance computing systems capable of 
 integrating with a diverse set of accelerators, including 
 quantum, artificial intelligence, and machine learning 
 accelerators, to enable the computing facilities of the 
 Department of Energy to advance national computing resources.
 ``

    (2) Contents.--The strategic plan under paragraph

    (1) shall include the following:
 ``
        (A) A conceptual plan to leverage capabilities 
 and infrastructure from the exascale computing program, 
 as the Secretary of Energy determines necessary.
 ``
        (B) A plan to minimize disruptions to the 
 advanced scientific computing workforce.
 ``
            (C) A consideration of a diversity of quantum 
 computing modalities.
 ``
            (D) A plan to integrate cloud access of 
 commercially available quantum hardware and software to 
 complement on-premises high-performance computing 
 systems and resources consistent with the QUEST program 
 established under 

section 404.
 ``

    (e) Early-Stage Quantum High-Performance Computing Research and 
Development Program.--
 ``

    (1) Definition of quantum high-performance computing.--In 
 this subsection, the term `quantum high-performance computing' 
 means the use of classical high-performance computing systems 
 with quantum processing units and hybrid quantum-classical 
 algorithms to leverage the strength of computational 
 architectures and solve complex problems.
 ``

    (2) Program.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish an 
 early-stage research and development program in quantum high-
 performance computing--
 ``
        (A) to inform the 10-year strategic plan 
 described in subsection
            (d) (1) ; and
 ``
        (B) to build the necessary scientific computing 
 workforce to fulfill the objectives of that plan.
 ``

    (3) Activities.--The program established under paragraph

    (2) shall--
 ``
        (A) support early-stage quantum supercomputing 
 testbeds and prototypes; and
 ``
        (B) connect early-stage quantum high-performance 
 computing projects to the Centers funded under this 
 Act.
 ``

    (4) Funding.--Of funds made available under subsection
            (i) (1) , the Secretary of Energy shall use not more than 
 $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry 
 out the activities under this subsection.
 ``

    (f) Supply Chain Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Commerce, shall conduct a study on quantum 
science, engineering, and technology supply chain needs, including--
 ``

    (1) identifying hurdles to growth in the quantum industry 
 by leveraging the expertise of relevant stakeholders in 
 academia and industry, including the Quantum Economic 
 Development Consortium; and
 ``

    (2) making recommendations on how to strengthen the 
 domestic supply of materials and technologies necessary for the 
 development of a robust manufacturing base and workforce.
 ``

    (g) Traineeship Program.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish 
 a university-led traineeship program--
 ``
        (A) to address workforce development needs in 
 quantum information science, engineering, and 
 technology; and
 ``
        (B) that will focus on supporting increased 
 participation, workforce development, and research 
 experiences for underrepresented undergraduate and 
 graduate students.
 ``

    (2) Funding.--Of funds made available under subsection
            (i) (1) , the Secretary of Energy shall use not more than 
 $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry 
 out the activities under this subsection.
 ``

    (h) Coordination of Activities.--In carrying out this section, 
the Secretary of Energy shall, to the maximum extent practicable, 
coordinate with the Director of the National Science Foundation, the 
Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the 
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the 
Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the 
heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies to ensure that 
programs and activities carried out under this section complement and 
do not duplicate existing efforts across the Federal government.
 ``
            (i) Funding.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Of amounts authorized to be appropriated 
 for the Department of Energy, the Secretary of Energy shall use 
 not more than $175,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 
 through 2030 to carry out activities under this section.
 ``

    (2) Restrictions.--
 ``
        (A) Confucius institute.--None of the funds made 
 available under this subsection may be obligated to or 
 expended by an institution of higher education that 
 maintains a contract or other agreement with a 
 Confucius Institute or any successor of a Confucius 
 Institute.
 ``
        (B) Foreign countries and entities of concern.--
 ``
            (i) === Definitions. ===
-In this subparagraph:
 ``
            (I) Foreign country of concern.--
 The term `foreign country of concern' 
 means--
 ``

    (aa) a covered nation (as 
 defined in 

section 4872
            (d) of 
 title 10, United States Code); 
 and
 ``

    (bb) any other country 
 that the Secretary of Energy, 
 in consultation with the 
 Secretary of Defense, the 
 Secretary of State, and the 
 Director of National 
 Intelligence, determines to be 
 engaged in conduct that is 
 detrimental to the national 
 security or foreign policy of 
 the United States.
 ``
            (II) Foreign entity of concern.--
 The term `foreign entity of concern' 
 means a foreign entity that--
 ``

    (aa) is designated as a 
 foreign terrorist organization 
 by the Secretary of State under 
 

section 219

    (a) of the 
 Immigration and Nationality Act 
 (8 U.S.C. 1189

    (a) );
 ``

    (bb) is included on the 
 list of specially designated 
 nationals and blocked persons 
 maintained by the Office of 
 Foreign Assets Control of the 
 Department of the Treasury;
 ``
            (cc) is owned by, 
 controlled by, or subject to 
 the jurisdiction or direction 
 of a government of a foreign 
 country that is a covered 
 nation (as defined in 

section 4872
            (d) of title 10, United 
 States Code);
 ``
            (dd) is alleged by the 
 Attorney General to have been 
 involved in activities for 
 which a conviction was obtained 
 under--

 ``

    (AA) chapter 37 
 of title 18, United 
 States Code (commonly 
 known as the `Espionage 
 Act');

 ``

    (BB) section 951 
 or 1030 of title 18, 
 United States Code;

 ``
            (CC) chapter 90 
 of title 18, United 
 States Code (commonly 
 known as the `Economic 
 Espionage Act of 
 1996');

 ``
            (DD) the Arms 
 Export Control Act (22 
 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.);

 ``

    (EE) section 224, 
 225, 226, 227, or 236 
 of the Atomic Energy 
 Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 
 2274, 2275, 2276, 2277, 
 2284);

 ``

    (FF) the Export 
 Control Reform Act of 
 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4801 et 
 seq.); or

 ``

    (GG) the 
 International Emergency 
 Economic Powers Act (50 
 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); 
 or

 ``

    (ee) is determined by the 
 Secretary of Energy, in 
 consultation with the Secretary 
 of Defense and the Director of 
 National Intelligence, to be 
 engaged in unauthorized conduct 
 that is detrimental to the 
 national security or foreign 
 policy of the United States.
 ``
            (ii) Restriction.--None of the funds made 
 available under this subsection may be 
 obligated or expended to promote, establish, or 
 finance quantum research activities between a 
 United States entity and a foreign country of 
 concern or a foreign entity of concern.''.

SEC. 3. DOE QUANTUM INSTRUMENTATION AND FOUNDRY PROGRAM.

 The National Quantum Initiative Act is amended by inserting after 

section 401 (15 U.S.C. 8851) the following:

``

SEC. 401A. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM INSTRUMENTATION AND FOUNDRY 
 PROGRAM.

 ``

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish an 
instrumentation and infrastructure program to carry out the following:
 ``

    (1) Maintain United States leadership in quantum 
 information science, engineering, and technology.
 ``

    (2) Develop domestic quantum supply chains.
 ``

    (3) Provide resources for the broader scientific 
 community.
 ``

    (4) Support activities carried out under sections 401, 
 402, 403, and 404.
 ``

    (b) Program Components.--In carrying out the program under 
subsection

    (a) , the Secretary of Energy shall--
 ``

    (1) develop, design, build, purchase, and commercialize 
 specialized equipment, laboratory infrastructure, and state-of-
 the-art instrumentation to advance quantum engineering research 
 and the development of quantum component technologies at a 
 scale sufficient to meet the needs of the scientific community 
 and enable commercialization of quantum technology;
 ``

    (2) leverage the capabilities of National Laboratories 
 and Nanoscale Science Research Centers, including facilities 
 and experts that research and develop novel quantum materials 
 and devices; and
 ``

    (3) consider the technologies and end-use applications 
 that have significant economic potential, as determined by the 
 Secretary, based on consultation with relevant stakeholders in 
 academia and industry, including the Quantum Economic 
 Development Consortium.
 ``
            (c) Quantum Foundries.--In carrying out the program under 
subsection

    (a) , and in coordination with institutions of higher 
education and industry, the Secretary of Energy shall support the 
development of quantum foundries focused on meeting the device, 
hardware, software, and materials needs of the scientific community and 
the quantum supply chain.
 ``
            (d) Consultation.--In carrying out the program under subsection

    (a) , the Secretary of Energy shall consult with the following entities 
to identify the instrumentation, equipment, infrastructure, and 
materials needed to support the objectives of that program:
 ``

    (1) The National Institute of Standards and Technology.
 ``

    (2) The National Science Foundation.
 ``

    (3) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
 ``

    (4) Any other relevant Federal agency.
 ``

    (5) The National Laboratories.
 ``

    (6) National Quantum Information Science Research 
 Centers.
 ``

    (7) Industry stakeholders.
 ``

    (8) Institutions of higher education.
 ``

    (9) Any other research institution.
 ``

    (e) Funding.--Of amounts authorized to be appropriated for the 
Department of Energy, the Secretary of Energy shall use not more than 
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out 
this section.''.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTERS.

 

Section 402 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 8852) 
is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (a) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) by striking ``basic''; and
            (ii) by striking ``science and technology 
 and to support research conducted under 

section 401'' and inserting ``science, engineering, and 
 technology, expand capacity for the domestic 
 quantum workforce, and support research 
 conducted under sections 401, 403, and 404''; 
 and
        (B) in paragraph

    (2)
            (C) , by inserting ``that may 
 include 1 or more commercial entities'' after 
 ``collaborations'';

    (2) in subsection

    (b) , by inserting ``and should be 
 inclusive of the variety of viable quantum technologies, as 
 appropriate'' before the period at the end;

    (3) in subsection
            (c) --
        (A) by striking ``basic''; and
        (B) by inserting ``, engineering, and technology, 
 accelerating quantum workforce development,'' after 
 ``science'';

    (4) in subsection

    (e) , by striking paragraph

    (2) and 
 inserting the following:
 ``

    (2) Renewal.--Each Center established under this section 
 may be renewed for an additional period of 5 years following a 
 successful, merit-based review and approval by the Director.''; 
 and

    (5) in subsection

    (f) , in the first sentence--
        (A) by striking ``$25,000,000'' and inserting 
 ``$35,000,000''; and
        (B) by striking ``2019 through 2023'' and inserting 
 ``2026 through 2030''.

SEC. 5. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE RESEARCH 
 AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

 

Section 403 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 8853) 
is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (a) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (4) --
            (i) by inserting ``, including'' after 
 ``networking''; and
            (ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
        (B) in paragraph

    (5) , by striking the period at the 
 end and inserting a semicolon; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (6) as applicable, leverage a diversity of modalities and 
 commercially available quantum hardware and software; and
 ``

    (7) develop education and training pathways related to 
 quantum network infrastructure investments, aligned with 
 existing programmatic investments by the Department of 
 Energy.'';

    (2) in subsection

    (b) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) by redesignating subparagraphs
            (C) and
            (D) as subparagraphs
            (D) and
        (E) , respectively; 
 and
            (ii) by inserting after subparagraph
        (B) the following:
 ``
            (C) the Administrator of the National Aeronautics 
 and Space Administration and the head of any other 
 relevant Federal agency, as determined by the 
 Secretary;'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A) , by inserting 
 ``ground-to-space and'' before ``space-to-
 ground'';
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (E) , by striking 
 ``photon-based'' and inserting ``all applicable 
 modalities of'';
            (iii) in subparagraph
        (F) , by inserting ``, 
 quantum sensors,'' after ``quantum repeaters'';
            (iv) in subparagraph
        (G) --
            (I) by inserting ``data centers,'' 
 after ``repeaters,''; and
            (II) by striking ``and'' at the 
 end;
            (v) in subparagraph
        (H) --
            (I) by striking ``the quantum 
 technology stack'' and inserting 
 ``quantum technology modality stacks''; 
 and
            (II) by striking ``National 
 Laboratories in'' and inserting 
 ``National Laboratories such as''; and
            (vi) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (I) development of quantum network and 
 entanglement distribution protocols or applications, 
 including development of network stack protocols and 
 protocols enabling integration with existing 
 technologies or infrastructure; and
 ``
        (J) development of high-efficiency room-
 temperature photon detectors for quantum photonic 
 applications, including quantum networking and 
 communications;'';
            (C) in paragraph

    (4) --
            (i) by striking ``basic''; and
            (ii) by striking ``material'' and inserting 
 ``materials''; and
            (D) in paragraph

    (5) , by striking ``fundamental''; 
 and

    (3) in subsection
            (d) , by striking ``basic research'' and 
 inserting ``research, development, and demonstration''.

SEC. 6. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM USER EXPANSION FOR SCIENCE AND 
 TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

 

Section 404 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 8854) 
is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (a) --
        (A) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) , by 
 striking ``and quantum computing clouds'' and inserting 
 ``, software, and cloud-based quantum computing'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (3) , by striking ``and'' at the 
 end;
            (C) in paragraph

    (4) , by striking the period at the 
 end and inserting a semicolon; and
            (D) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (5) to enable development of software and applications, 
 including estimation of resources needed to scale applications; 
 and
 ``

    (6) to develop near-term quantum applications to solve 
 public and private sector problems.'';

    (2) in subsection

    (b) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (4) , by striking ``and'' at the 
 end;
        (B) in paragraph

    (5) , by striking the period at the 
 end and inserting a semicolon; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (6) enable users to develop algorithms, software tools, 
 simulators, and applications for quantum systems using cloud-
 based quantum computers; and
 ``

    (7) partner with appropriate public- and private-sector 
 entities to develop training and education opportunities on 
 prototype and early-stage devices to support commercial 
 applications.'';

    (3) in subsection
            (c) --
        (A) by redesignating paragraphs

    (4) through

    (8) as 
 paragraphs

    (5) through

    (9) , respectively; and
        (B) by inserting after paragraph

    (3) the following:
 ``

    (4) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
 Administration;''; and

    (4) in subsection

    (e) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (4) , by striking ``and'' at the 
 end;
        (B) in paragraph

    (5) , by striking the period at the 
 end and inserting a semicolon; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (6) $38,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
 ``

    (7) $39,900,000 for fiscal year 2029; and
 ``

    (8) $41,895,000 for fiscal year 2030.''.
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