April 28, 2020
Quantum Information Science: Congressional Activity and
Federal Policy Recommendations
Quantum Information Science
and accelerate the research, development, and deployment
Technologies and Applications
of quantum information sciences and quantum information
Combining elements of mathematics, computer science,
science-enabled technologies and systems.
engineering, and physical sciences, quantum information
science (QIS) is believed to have the potential to provide
The Global Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing Act of
capabilities far beyond what is possible with the most
2019 (S. 1427) encourages research in a number of
advanced sciences available today. Quantum science,
emerging technologies, including QIS. Among other
generally, is the study of the smallest particles of matter and
provisions, the bill would expand the definition of a center
energy; QIS builds on quantum science principles to obtain
for manufacturing innovation to make eligible for inclusion
and process information in ways that cannot be achieved
(and funding) a center that has a predominant focus on
through classical physics. QIS is based on the premise that
innovative sectors, including QIS. The Senate Committee
information science depends on quantum effects in physics.
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation ordered the bill
to be reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of
Although much of the press coverage of QIS is on quantum
a substitute.
computing, experts generally divide QIS into four
categories: sensing and metrology, communications,
“Industries of the Future”
simulation, and computing (some combine simulation and
Two bills have been introduced—S. 3191 and H.R. 6145—
computing). Each can be used for a variety of applications.
and Congress has held a hearing focused on “Industries of
For example:
the Future.”
The bills would require the White House
Sensing and metrology—navigation, precise
Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to report
timekeeping, locating subterranean mineral deposits;
on R&D investments, infrastructure, and workforce
Communications—generating quantum keys for
development by the federal government. Specifically, the
encryption and enabling quantum-secure
report would be required to include (1) an assessment of
communications (interception destroys the
current federal civilian R&D investments in the industries
communication and exposes the interceptor);
of the future (IotF); (2) a plan to double current investments
Simulation—calculating the properties of materials such
in artificial intelligence and QIS by FY2022; (3) a detailed
as high-temperature superconductors and modeling
plan to increase investments in IotF R&D to $10 billion per
nuclear and particle physics; and
year by FY2025; (4) a plan to leverage federal IotF
Computing—performing some computations much
investments through complementary investments by non-
faster, in some cases exponentially faster, than is
federal entities; and (5) proposed implementation
possible using conventional high-performance
legislation. The bills would also require the creation of an
computers.
Industries of the Future Coordination Council to advise the
In a February 11, 2020, memorandum, the White House
OSTP Director. Council membership would be composed
stated that it intends to double non-defense QIS funding by
of members from the federal government as stipulated in
2022. The memorandum notes that the FY2021 budget
the legislation.
recommendation would provide the National Science
Foundation with a budget of $230 million and the
On January 15, 2020, the Senate held a hearing on
Department of Energy Office of Science with $237 million
Industries of the Future. The hearing examined how the
for QIS, and an additional $25 million to DOE specifically
United States can maintain its global economic edge in a
to support quantum internet research.
variety of disciplines, including QIS. Witnesses from the
Congressional Activity: 116th Congress
Department of Commerce, National Science Foundation,
OSTP, and the Federal Communications Commission
The following QIS-related activity has taken place in the
discussed R&D investments, potential regulatory changes,
116th Congress.
and workforce training requirements.
General QIS Legislation
Quantum Computing Legislation
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
S. 1534 would require the Secretary of Defense to conduct
2020 (P.L. 116-92) modified the Department of Defense
an assessment of quantum computing technology to address
(DOD) QIS research and development (R&D) program.
problems associated with exposure to “PFAS”—a class of
The law specifies which organizations must be consulted in
more than 3,500 dangerous compounds found in ground
developing an R&D plan; requires the DOD to classify QIS
and drinking water. After referral to the Senate Armed
activities and requirements for relevant technology and
Services Committee, no further action has been taken.
standards; and establishes QIS research centers to enhance
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Quantum Information Science: Congressional Activity and Federal Policy Recommendations
Legislation Limiting QIS Transfer to China
mechanisms. Formation of such an organization was
A number of bills have been introduced that would impose
recommended in the National Strategy and mandated by the
limits on the export of quantum technologies to China,
National Quantum Initiative Act (P.L. 115-368). The
including those related to QIS computing and simulation:
National Strategy also recommends the federal government
China Technology Transfer Control Act of 2019,
increase investment in joint research centers created by
S. 1459, H.R. 3532;
industry, academia, and government partnerships; and
Fair Trade with China Enforcement Act, S. 2, H.R. 704;
maintain awareness of how quantum advances may
Uighur Intervention and Global Humanitarian Unified
affect agency missions and how agencies can encourage
Response (UIGHUR) Act of 2019, H.R. 1025; and
the adoption of quantum technologies.
United States Export Finance Agency Act of 2019, H.R.
Providing critical infrastructure
3407.
The successful development of technologies based on QIS
Federal Policy Recommendations
is expected to enable increasingly more advanced quantum
Some analysts believe that policies to boost the QIS
research, but such advances hinge on the availability of
industry in general would also boost the quantum
suitable tools, facilities, and other infrastructure. The
computing industry. In a September 2018 report, National
National Strategy recommends the federal government
Strategic Overview for Quantum Information Science
identify needed infrastructure and encourage necessary
(“National Strategy”), the President’s National Science and
investments by working with government experts and
Technology Council (NSTC) asserted that creating a
stakeholders, as well as industry and academia;
cohesive and effective U.S. QIS R&D policy would require
encourage agencies to provide the QIS research
a collaborative effort among government, academia, and the
community with increased access to needed facilities;
private sector. It cited six key areas, discussed below, that
establish testbed facilities to allow federal agencies to
need to be addressed to craft an effective quantum policy.
explore mission-relevant applications; and
Choosing a science-first approach to QIS
repurpose existing infrastructure (e.g., manufacturing
facilities) to advance quantum technology development.
QIS is a rapidly evolving discipline with substantial
opportunities for further discovery. According to the
Maintaining national security and economic growth
National Strategy, this will require strengthening core
National security needs often drive advancements in new
research programs and finding new methods for
science and technology and enable economic development.
collaboration. It recommends the federal government
The National Strategy recommends the federal government
strengthen federally-funded research programs to
maintain an understanding of the security implications
support long-term QIS research;
of advances in QIS science and technology;
foster cross-discipline collaboration among researchers;
promote mechanisms, such as the SCQIS, to educate
use the NSTC Subcommittee on Quantum Information
government agencies of the defense implications of QIS
Science (SCQIS) to coordinate federal policy; and
and to help balance the benefits of economic growth
identify “grand challenges” to encourage investment in
with potential risks created by the technology; and
both basic and applied QIS research.
ensure consistent use of classification and export control
Creating a future quantum-smart workforce
mechanisms to provide the best information possible to
U.S. universities and industry about QIS research to
The U.S. educational system typically focuses on discrete
encourage economic opportunities, protect intellectual
disciplinary tracks rather than emphasizing cross-
property, and protect national security.
disciplinary study. To change this, the National Strategy
recommends the federal government
Advancing international cooperation
encourage industry and academia to create convergent,
QIS research and development is designed to support U.S.
cross-sector educational approaches;
prosperity and economic competitiveness in a highly
use and enhance existing programs to increase the QIS-
interconnected world characterized by transnational flows
ready workforce;
of goods and information and international collaboration
encourage academia to consider quantum science and
among scientists and engineers. The National Strategy
engineering as its own discipline;
recommends the federal government
address education in quantum science at an early stage,
seek to increase international industry and government
including elementary, middle, and high school levels;
cooperation;
reach out to broader audiences by working with relevant
ensure the United States continues to attract and retain
agencies and industry to highlight their investments; and
the best talent, and has access to international
encourage the QIS community to track and estimate the
technologies, research facilities, and expertise; and
future industry workforce needs.
identify strengths and opportunities of international
Deepening engagement with the quantum industry
actors to better understand the international QIS
Some see a reliable supply of supporting technologies that
landscape from both technical and policy perspectives.
are not in themselves intrinsically quantum as a critical
Related CRS Products
element in a robust quantum ecosystem. In September
CRS Report R45409, Quantum Information Science:
2019, the National Institute for Standards and Technology
Applications, Global Research and Development, and
created a Quantum Economic Development Consortium to
Policy Considerations, by Patricia Moloney Figliola
establish consensus on requirements and challenges,
coordinate pre-competitive research, address intellectual
Patricia Moloney Figliola, Specialist in Internet and
property issues, and streamline technology-transfer
Telecommunications Policy
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Quantum Information Science: Congressional Activity and Federal Policy Recommendations
IF11524
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