Quantum LEAP Act of 2025
The Quantum LEAP Act of 2025 would create an independent, legislative-branch Commission on American Quantum Information Science and Technology Dominance. The 12-member panel would review advances in quantum information science (QIS) and related technologies and issue recommendations to strengthen the United States’ national security, economic security, and global competitiveness in quantum-related fields. It would coordinate with key federal agencies (including Commerce, Energy, NIST, OSTP, DOD, and NSF) and consider workforce, basic and advanced research, commercialization barriers, international standards, data sharing, and the domestic quantum supply chain. The Commission would produce an interim report after 1 year and a final report after 2 years, with unclassified text (and a possible classified annex). The act also provides for staff, potential support from non-government institutes or federally funded centers, and space for the Commission, while limiting its duration to 540 days after the final report.
Key Points
- 1Establishment and timing
- 2- Creates the Commission on American Quantum Information Science and Technology Dominance, to be established 30 days after enactment.
- 3- Commission is an independent body within the legislative branch.
- 4Membership and appointments
- 5- 12 members total, appointed by Senate and House leadership and their committee chairs/ranking members.
- 6- Includes both Members of Congress and non-legislative experts from private civilian life; qualifications focus on QIS modalities, policy use by leaders, and national security/defense oversight.
- 7- Appointments due within 45 days of establishment; if not filled, the number of seats decreases.
- 8- Chair and Vice Chair designated jointly by relevant committee leaders.
- 9Scope of work and coordination
- 10- A comprehensive review of advances in QIS and related technologies, focusing on methods, investments, and national security needs.
- 11- Coordination with federal agencies tied to the National Quantum Strategy (Commerce, Energy, NIST, OSTP’s National Quantum Coordination Office, DOD, NSF).
- 12- Analysis areas include global competitiveness, defense and national security implications, supply chain, private-public partnerships, basic and advanced research, commercialization barriers, workforce incentives, international standards, data sharing, and overall potential and management of rapidly changing quantum tech.
- 13Reports and timeline
- 14- Interim report due 1 year after establishment, with status updates and any early recommendations.
- 15- Final report due 2 years after establishment, with findings and recommendations for administrative or legislative action.
- 16- Reports submitted unclassified, with possible classified annex.
- 17Support, cooperation, and operations
- 18- Requires cooperation from federal agencies; the Secretary of Commerce designates a liaison and can provide personnel, facilities, and funds on a nonreimbursable basis.
- 19- May utilize an independent nonprofit institute or a federally funded research and development center to assist in its duties.
- 20- Expedited security clearances for personnel involved, and authority to accept certain non-monetary gifts (not cash) from non-Federal entities.
- 21- Functions as a legislative advisory committee, with authority to procure experts and use government information as needed.
- 22- May use existing space within the Federal space inventory; if not available, can lease space subject to funds.
- 23Termination and removal
- 24- The Commission terminates 540 days after it submits the final report.
- 25- Members can be removed for cause with due process and a majority vote of the appointing officials.