Lawmakers expected to reintroduce quantum initiative authorization

"The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act has been drafted and is expected to be introduced this week after struggling to gain traction in previous years following the original National Quantum Initiative's expiration in late 2023, two people familiar with the matter told Nextgov/FCW. Reintroduced by Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Todd Young, R-Ind., the new bill comes as quantum technology, particularly quantum computing, is expected to pose a significant threat to current cryptographic security schemes."

"In his second term, the Trump administration has continued to prioritize quantum technology and science policy, and has been in the process of crafting an executive action that is expected to update federal agency timelines to complete their migrations to a post-quantum resilient cryptographic standard. In 2025, industry partners vocalized their support for the reauthorization of the NQIA, citing a need for continued funding for agencies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Science Foundation to continue research programming into quantum technologies."

A reauthorization bill for the National Quantum Initiative has been drafted and is expected to be introduced soon after previous delays following the initiative's expiration in late 2023. Senators Maria Cantwell and Todd Young are leading the reintroduction. The legislation responds to concerns that quantum computing will threaten existing cryptographic security schemes. The administration is preparing an executive action to update federal agency timelines for migration to post-quantum cryptographic standards. Industry partners in 2025 endorsed reauthorization and emphasized the need for continued funding for agencies such as NIST and NSF to sustain quantum research programs.

Read at Nextgov.com