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Bill

HR 9318

National Security Commission Quantum Computing Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Mike Lawler and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a National Security Commission on Quantum Computing to assess, report on, and guide U.S. quantum strategy, security, and policy across agencies and industry.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9318

Summary of HR 9318 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

  • Establish the National Security Commission on Quantum Computing. The bill is designed to create a federal, standing body to assess and guide the United States’ strategic, technological, and policy approach to quantum computing, with a focus on national security implications.

Key provisions and changes the bill would make

  • Creation of a National Security Commission on Quantum Computing (the Commission):
    • Purpose: To evaluate the current and future capabilities of quantum computing, assess national security risks and opportunities, and provide recommendations to policymakers.
    • Scope: Likely to analyze both offensive and defensive quantum capabilities, potential impacts on cryptography, communication security, and critical infrastructure.
  • Commission composition and operations (typical features in such bills; exact details would be in the text):
    • Appointment of commissioners from federal agencies, defense, intelligence, academia, and industry with relevant expertise.
    • Procedures for meetings, reports, and public or classified findings.
  • Reporting and recommendations:
    • The Commission would issue periodic reports with findings and policy recommendations to Congress and the executive branch.
    • Potential recommendations could address research funding priorities, standards and cryptographic readiness, talent development, and international cooperation or competition strategies.
  • Relationship to existing programs:
    • The bill would delineate the Commission’s role relative to other federal quantum programs and national security efforts, and may authorize coordination mechanisms with agencies such as DOD, DOE, NIST, and others.

Who or what would be affected

  • Federal agencies:
    • Agencies involved in national security, science, technology, energy, and education would interact with the Commission’s work and respond to recommendations.
  • Industry and academia:
    • Researchers, hardware and software developers, cryptographers, and defense contractors could be drawn into Commission activities through filings, hearings, and advisory engagements.
  • Legislative process:
    • Congress would receive formal, strategic guidance to shape policy, funding, and regulatory considerations related to quantum computing.

Significant procedural or timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral:
    • Introduced in the House and referred to multiple committees: Armed Services; Education and Workforce; Foreign Affairs; Science, Space, and Technology; Energy and Commerce.
  • Committee process:
    • The bill specifies consideration “for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,” indicating a multi-committee review with potential markup in several panels.
  • Sponsor information:
    • Co-sponsors include Mike Lawler and Pat Ryan, signaling bipartisan engagement and interest from multiple caucuses.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Strategic importance:
    • Aimed at ensuring the U.S. maintains leadership in quantum computing while mitigating national security risks, such as cryptographic vulnerabilities.
  • Policy and funding implications:
    • The Commission’s findings could influence federal funding priorities, standards development, and international collaboration or competitiveness strategies.
  • Timeline:
    • As a newly introduced measure, enactment would depend on committee actions, passage through the House, and Senate consideration, with final impact contingent on subsequent appropriations and implementing regulations.

If you’d like, I can tailor this to focus on specific audiences (e.g., defense policymakers, industry stakeholders, or cryptography experts) or summarize expected costs and staffing once the bill’s exact text becomes available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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