Lawmakers have filed nearly a dozen quantum amendments to FY26 NDAA

"Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., one of the upper chamber's biggest quantum advocates, submitted four amendments: one mandating a Strategy for Quantum Readiness specifically tailored for Defense; an accompanying amendment requiring the Subcommittee on the Economic and Security Implications of Quantum Information Science to conduct an assessment of quantum-resilient network migration; another including a July 2025 bill introduced by her and Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., the National Quantum Cybersecurity Migration Strategy Act of 2025, in defense spending appropriations;"

"Three of Blackburn's amendments focus on readying federal networks for the advent of a cryptographically-relevant quantum computer, with the remaining amendment focusing on implementing advanced quantum information science and technology systems for Defense operations. One specific requirement in the latter amendment would establish a Quantum Computing Center of Excellence within an armed forces research lab to study photon qubits, integrated photonics, trapped ions and superconducting systems."

"Peters -- working closely with Blackburn on several of the amendments -- filed a similar amendment requiring the Subcommittee on the Economic and Security Implications of Quantum Information Science to perform an assessment ahead of PQC strategy development. He also submitted an amendment that aims to cultivate a workforce that is fluent in the technology and science surrounding quantum physics-powered systems. This would task the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to lead the creation of a framew"

Eleven amendments were filed to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act to advance U.S. quantum capabilities, covering quantum computer preparedness and quantum communications across Department of Defense assets. Sen. Marsha Blackburn submitted four amendments including a mandated Strategy for Quantum Readiness for Defense, an assessment by the designated subcommittee on quantum-resilient network migration, inclusion of the National Quantum Cybersecurity Migration Strategy Act of 2025 in appropriations, and the Defense Quantum Acceleration Act. Three Blackburn amendments target migration to post-quantum cryptography, while another would establish a Quantum Computing Center of Excellence to study photon qubits, integrated photonics, trapped ions and superconducting systems. Sen. Gary Peters filed parallel amendments, including workforce development initiatives and a subcommittee assessment ahead of PQC strategy development, assigning NIST leadership for framework creation.

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