Rep. Van Epps Celebrates Passage of Amendment to Strengthen Quantum Technologies out of the SST Committee
Rep. Van Epps Celebrates Passage of Amendment to Strengthen Quantum Technologies out of the SST Committee
Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep.Van Epps (TN07) introduced an amendment in the Space, Science and Technology Committee’s markup to reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative Act.
This proposal amends the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act to include reviews of the National Quantum Initiative program. Specifically, the amendment directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Academies to assess the progress made by the National Quantum Initiative program in meeting its stated goals, including facilitating private sector development. The amendment also directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to review impediments to collaboration between Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education, National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, industry, and academia.
You can watch or read Rep. Van Epps’ remarks during the markup below.
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
American researchers have made significant advancements in quantum over the last several years.
Yet it is crucial we continue to rapidly move beyond scientific research into commercially deployable applications, including our military capabilities. For example, quantum sensing supports a wide range of battlefield applications such as navigation in GPS-denied environments and detection of electronic warfare systems.
Bringing quantum from the lab into the field can empower American warfighters for mission success. However, these capabilities have not yet fully matured into operational systems for routine use.
That’s why the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act is a step in the right direction – updating quantum programs to move from lab development into real-world deployment and creating quantum testbeds to translate research into private sector quantum development.
These updates align with the exciting contributions Tennessee's 7th district has made in quantum. Recently, Vanderbilt University partnered with EPB of Chattanooga to launch the Institute for Quantum Innovation. This institute will provide Vanderbilt’s leading quantum research programs access to the EPB Quantum Center, the nation’s first facility to provide commercial access to a trapped-ion quantum computer and a photonics-based local quantum network.
Vanderbilt’s efforts prove the U.S. is ready to move from the lab to real work application for quantum, and with Tennessee leading the way.
My amendment ensures the important updates in this reauthorization bill are effectively implemented to bring quantum technologies into real-world use.
The amendment directs OSTP and the National Academies to assess the National Quantum Initiative program to ensure it is meeting its goals, particularly as it relates to the development of quantum applications.
In addition, the amendment directs NIST to conduct a study and produce a report to this committee on impediments to collaboration between federally backed research centers, industry, and academia.
For the U.S. to sustain its quantum leadership, it is essential that any gaps between American researchers and private industry are decisively identified and tactically remediated.
By passing this amendment, this committee clearly demonstrates that the updated policy priorities made in the reauthorization bill will translate into effective policy delivery.
I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back.”