Cybersecurity Policy Report, Bipartisan House Bill Seeks ‘Quantum Encryption Readiness’, (Aug 11, 2025)
The federal government would have to assess the nation’s readiness for the advent of quantum computing and develop a plan to manage the cybersecurity risks from adversaries’ use of quantum technology under a bipartisan bill introduced by Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D., Va.).
The Quantum Encryption Readiness and Resilience Act (H.R. 4942, 119th Cong. (2025)) would direct the Subcommittee on the Economic and Security Implications of Quantum Information Science, a group overseen by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, to assess the “progress of private sector entities and public sector entities in the United States” toward adopting quantum-resistant encryption tools, according to its text.
Existing encryption tools will be inadequate to protect data from quantum technology. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has been developing post-quantum cryptography (PQC) tools designed to withstand quantum attacks and set a 2035 deadline for federal agencies to transition to PQC (CPR, Nov. 12, 2024).
“While quantum computing promises revolutionary benefits in fields like drug discovery and artificial intelligence, its rapid development also presents significant cybersecurity risks. Unlike conventional computers, quantum computers will possess the capability to break existing encryption standards that currently safeguard vast amounts of sensitive information,” Rep. Subramanyam said in a news release.
“Currently, there are no comprehensive assessments detailing the United States government’s and American companies’ quantum capabilities and readiness relative to other nations. As the global push for advanced quantum computing intensifies, the need for a unified, nationwide strategy for quantum readiness has become paramount,” he added.
The bill’s co-sponsors include Reps. John McGuire (R., Va.), Haley Stevens (D., Mich.), and Pat Harrigan (R., N.C.).
“Quantum technology is critical to our national security. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation because it prepares the United States for quantum threats from our foreign adversaries by ensuring our government and industry monitor, evaluate, and act on gaps in our quantum capabilities,” Rep. McGuire said.
“Quantum computing holds exciting promise, but its potential to break current encryption standards poses a serious national and economic security risk. While agencies like NIST are leading the development of post-quantum cybersecurity tools, we need a full understanding of the scale and urgency of the threat,” Rep. Stevens said.
The bill has received endorsements from the Quantum Economic Development Consortium, the Quantum Industry Coalition, and the Business Software Alliance (BSA).
“BSA supports the development and commercialization of quantum computing, along with prioritizing the upgrade to post-quantum cryptography,” said Craig Albright, BSA’s senior vice president–government relations. “This legislation will leverage existing government expertise to assess cybersecurity and national security risks posed by quantum computers.”
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