July 27, 2026
Mr. Rounds (for himself and Mr. Blumenthal) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services
To require the Secretary of Defense to support development of quantum technologies, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the National Quantum Readiness Act of 2026
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Sec. 2. Support for development of quantum technologies
(a) Deploying quantum-Enabled sensors and networks
Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall identify three next-generation quantum sensor projects to prioritize in order to field these sensors by September 30, 2028.
(b) Development of quantum-Enabling component technologies
Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Energy, and the Director of the National Science Foundation shall, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, jointly develop a plan to encourage and partner with the private sector, potentially through the use of prize challenges or advance market commitments—
(1)
to develop quantum-enabling component technologies in the United States; and
(2)
to identify any legislative or administrative action required to address quantum-specific market hurdles.
(c) Increasing domestic access to Defense foundry resources
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with such heads of Federal agencies as the Secretary considers appropriate, take such steps as the Secretary considers appropriate—
(1)
to increase domestic access to Department-sponsors quantum information science and technology-relevant foundry resources; and
(2)
strengthen efforts to improve access to critical quantum information science and technology supply chains.