June 15, 2026
Mr. Lawler (for himself and Mr. Ryan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Foreign Affairs, Science, Space, and Technology, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To establish the National Security Commission on Quantum Computing.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the National Security Commission Quantum Computing Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. National Security Commission on Quantum Computing
(a) Establishment
There is established in the executive branch an independent commission to be known as the National Security Commission on Quantum Computing (in this subtitle referred to as the Commission
). The Commission shall be considered an independent establishment of the Federal Government as defined by section 104 of title 5, United States Code, and a temporary organization under section 3161 of such title.
(b) Responsibilities
(1) In general
The Commission shall carry out a review of the advances in quantum computing. In carrying out such review, the Commission shall consider the methods and means necessary to advance the development of quantum computing by the United States to comprehensively address the national security needs of the Nation, including economic risk, and any other needs of the Department of Defense or the common defense of the Nation.
(2) Scope of the review
In conducting the review under paragraph (1), the Commission shall consider—
(A)
the competitiveness of the United States in quantum computing, including matters related to national security, economic security, public-private partnerships, and investments;
(B)
means and methods for the United States to maintain a technological advantage in quantum computing;
(C)
developments and trends in international cooperation and competitiveness, including foreign investments in quantum computing and quantum information science fields;
(D)
means by which to foster greater emphasis and investments in basic and advanced research to stimulate private, public, academic and combined initiatives in quantum computing, including high-performance computing;
(E)
workforce and education incentives to attract and recruit leading talent in quantum computing, including science, technology, engineering, and math programs;
(F)
risks associated with United States and foreign country advances in military employment of quantum computing, including under the international law of armed conflict, international humanitarian law, and escalation dynamics;
(G)
associated ethical considerations related to quantum computing as it will be used for future applications; and
(H)
any other matters the Commission considers relevant to the common defense of the Nation.
(c) Membership
(1) Number and appointment
The Commission shall be composed of 11 members appointed as follows:
(A)
The Secretary of Defense shall appoint 3 members.
(B)
The Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate shall appoint 2 members.
(C)
The ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate shall appoint 2 members.
(D)
The Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives shall appoint 2 members.
(E)
The ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives shall appoint 2 members.
(2) Deadline for appointment
Members shall be appointed to the Commission under paragraph (1) not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(3) Effect of lack of appointment by appointment date
If one or more appointments under paragraph (1) is not made by the date specified in paragraph (2), the authority to make such appointment or appointments shall expire, and the number of members of the Commission shall be reduced by the number equal to the number of appointments so not made.
(d) Chair and Vice Chair
The Commission shall elect a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.
(e) Terms
Members shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers and shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.
(f) Status as Federal employees
Notwithstanding the requirements of section 2105 of title 5, United States Code, including the required supervision under subsection (a)(3) of such section, the members of the Commission shall be deemed to be Federal employees.
(g) Funding
Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of Defense, not more than $10,000,000 shall be made available to the Commission to carry out its duties under this section. Funds made available to the Commission under the preceding sentence shall remain available until expended.
(h) Reports
(1) Initial report
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the President and Congress an initial report on the findings of the Commission and such recommendations that the Commission may have for action by the executive branch and the Congress related to quantum computing and associated technologies, including recommendations to more effectively organize the Federal Government.
(2) Comprehensive report
Not later than one year after the date of this enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the date specified in subsection (j), the Commission shall submit to the President and to Congress a comprehensive report on the review required under subsection (b).
(i) Termination
The Commission shall terminate on October 1, 2030.