U.S. House Bill Would Authorize $100 Million to Build Out Robust Quantum Infrastructure

House quantum legislation
House quantum legislation
Xpanse Xpanse
House quantum legislation
House legislation aims to promote the quantum internet, a network of quantum communication and computational devices. (Pixabay)

The House of Representatives passed legislation to advance the Energy Department’s initiative infrastructure for a quantum network, according to a story in NexGov.

The Quantum Network Infrastructure Act would authorize $100 million to Energy’s Office of Science for 2021 through 2025 to form and maintain the effort. The bill was introduced by co-chairs of the National Labs Caucus Reps. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., and Bill Foster, D-Ill.

NextGov reports that if passed, the bill would amend the National Quantum Initiative Act that President Trump signed in 2018 to establish “research, development, and demonstration program to accelerate innovation in quantum network infrastructure.”

In a statement, Zeldin said that creating an expansive quantum network would allow quantum computers to communicate faster, more reliably and more securely across longer distances. However, the establishment of a large quantum network relies on the quantum network infrastructure needed to support it. This bipartisan legislation establishes a national research and development program for the advancement of this quantum network infrastructure, accelerating the widespread implementation of quantum technology.

“Quantum technology enables us to store significantly more information, faster, more securely and more efficiently, improving our lives and nation with everything from healthcare to national security to the financial sector,” said Zeldin.“Thanks to investments in our nation’s best and brightest scientists, we’re now closer than ever to a large scale implementation of this technology, and we’re not slowing down now! This bipartisan legislation continues to invest in the implementation of this revolutionary technology, including right here at Brookhaven National Lab.”

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Brookhaven National Lab in Upton, New York, and Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York are leading in the field of quantum computing and have established an 80 mile quantum network testbed.

In addition to this legislation, last month, Brookhaven National Lab was awarded $115 million in federal funding for the establishment of a new quantum information science (QIS) research institute, which will focus on a range of key QIS research topics, including quantum networking, sensing, computing, and materials manufacturing.

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on the day it was introduced.

If you found this article to be informative, you can explore more current quantum news here, exclusives, interviews, and podcasts.

Matt Swayne

With a several-decades long background in journalism and communications, Matt Swayne has worked as a science communicator for an R1 university for more than 12 years, specializing in translating high tech and deep tech for the general audience. He has served as a writer, editor and analyst at The Quantum Insider since its inception. In addition to his service as a science communicator, Matt also develops courses to improve the media and communications skills of scientists and has taught courses. [email protected]

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