On May 7, the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a dedicated hearing on quantum technology—a rare and important moment for our community. For nearly three hours, lawmakers asked thoughtful, sometimes tough, bipartisan questions that made one thing clear: quantum is no longer just about research—it’s about readiness.
The hearing—titled “From Policy to Progress: How the National Quantum Initiative Shapes U.S. Quantum Technology Leadership”—focused on evaluating the progress of the National Quantum Initiative Act (NQIA) since its passage in 2018 and identifying what’s needed for its reauthorization.
The Committee heard from QED-C Executive Director Dr. Celia Merzbacher and leaders from member companies, including Dr. Charina Chou of Google Quantum AI, Dr. Pete Shadbolt of PsiQuantum, and Dr. Charles Tahan of Microsoft Quantum, Members of the Committee asked about real-world use cases, national security risks, IP protection, workforce development, and supply chain resilience.
The core message from QED-C and our members was that the U.S. is in a strong position—but staying there will require strategic, sustained action.
U.S. investment in foundational research, especially through universities and national labs, has delivered results and is helping to educate and train the quantum workforce.
Public-private coordination—like the creation of QED-C—has built a community that is
collaborating to identify and address gaps.
In response to concerns from members of the Committee regarding the prioritization on quantum by the People’s Republic of China, backed by long-term investment and central coordination witnesses were in agreement that the NQI is important to ensuring the United States can lead.
Several members of the Committee expressed concern about proposed cuts to U.S. science agency budgets, noting the potential impact not just on quantum R&D, but on the broader pipeline of STEM talent. Shrinking support for basic research in adjacent fields, such as materials, mathematics, and computer science, puts future innovation—and the workforce behind it—at risk.
The message to Congress was clear: the U.S. has a head start, but that lead is not guaranteed. Strategic investment, coordinated policy, and a strong partnership between government, academia, and industry are essential to maintaining it.
Now is the time to examine where there are gaps that need to be filled and to start building the necessary bridges through strategic investments, public-private partnerships, and innovative programs and policies.
The National Quantum Initiative was authorized for five years. Reauthorization is both necessary and timely, and it’s an opportunity to realign goals to reflect how far we’ve come and where we still need to go.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle showed real interest in ensuring the U.S. doesn’t just lead in quantum research, but also in commercialization, deployment, and impact. Their questions—and their frequent references to QED-C’s State of the Global Quantum Industry report—make it clear they’re paying attention.
This hearing was a milestone—but not an endpoint.
Whether you’re a student, a policymaker, an industry leader, or a curious citizen, your engagement matters. The quantum future will touch every part of society—from healthcare to finance to national defense.
If you’re already part of our quantum community, this hearing affirms that your work is being seen and valued. If you’re just getting up to speed, now is a great time to dive in.
QED-C will continue working to bring quantum experts and decision-makers together. In fact, we’re hosting a Congressional Briefing Series in the coming weeks and a Quantum Technology Showcase on Capitol Hill this July.
State of the Global Quantum Industry Report
Hearing charter, recording and testimonies