On August 31, 2026, Congressman Nick Langworthy went on to announce his plan to introduce the American Quantum Competitiveness Act, which is a bill to bolster the position of America in the rapidly growing space of the quantum technology sector and safeguard key domestic supply chains and at the same time ensure the United States can compete with China and various other foreign adversaries.
It is well to be noted that quantum technology does have the potential to revolutionize computing and communications as well as sensing, with important consequences when it comes to both American economic viability as well as national security. The legislation would go on to designate the Department of Commerce as the federal lead in terms of commercial quantum technology while establishing a national strategy in terms of investment, manufacturing, commercialization, and dependable domestic supply chains.
Interestingly, this legislation will also play a significant part in its work with the I-90 tech corridor in order to ensure Western New York and the Southern Tier are leading the way in this emerging frontier with national as well as global consequences. The 23rd Congressional District of New York is about to bring together world-class manufacturing, cutting-edge technology, and research institutions, as well as highly qualified employees.
According to Congressman Nick Langworthy, “America cannot afford to wait until the next generation of technology has already been developed overseas before we decide we want to compete,” said Congressman Nick Langworthy. “The American Quantum Competitiveness Act is about getting ahead of the curve, strengthening our domestic supply chains, and making sure the United States leads in quantum technology rather than becoming dependent on foreign adversaries. While this bill has broad national and global implications, it’s critical to our region as well, where we have the talent, manufacturing heritage, and research capabilities to be at the forefront of this next technological revolution.”
The bill would –
- Make Commerce the federal lead when it comes to commercial quantum technology, which includes manufacturing, deployment, investment, and dependable supply chains.
- Identify critical components so as to bolster the domestic quantum ecosystem, including obstacles to investment and supply chain hazards and dependence on foreign adversaries.
- Develop a national quantum competitiveness strategy, tasking Commerce to collaborate with sectors, federal agencies, researchers, states, and trusted allies.
- Help move quantum technologies from R&D to real-world applications through supporting commercialization as well as domestic manufacturing.
It is well to be noted that quantum technology will also open up opportunities well beyond businesses directly building quantum systems. A strong domestic ecosystem will need critical suppliers, especially in semiconductors, photonics, lasers, and cryogenics, as well as other advanced technologies, resulting in new possibilities for American manufacturers and workers.
As part of a larger effort to make Western New York and the Southern Tier a national hub in terms of advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies, Congressman Langworthy is prioritizing making the I-90 corridor stronger. The American Quantum Competitiveness Act expands upon this foundation by assisting in linking federally supported research with commercialization, investment, and domestic manufacturing.
The NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub, which is co-convened by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, OneROC, and CenterState CEO along with Regional Innovation Officer Dr. Joseph Stefko, is strongly in favor of the legislation and says, “A strategic, increased federal focus on innovation and commercialization for emerging quantum technologies supports the NY SMART I-Corridor’s goals to help ensure our region and our country remain the global leader in this space. With our shared region’s existing assets in the semiconductor and photonics industries, this legislation will deepen existing opportunities and create new ones to develop talent, technology, and domestic supply chains.”
This legislation is also supported strongly by the Quantum Industry Coalition, which is the dominant voice of the U.S. quantum sector, encompassing major U.S. companies like IBM and Microsoft as well as Google.
As per executive director of the Quantum Industry Coalition, Paul Stimers, “The Quantum Industry Coalition supports the American Quantum Competitiveness Act, which will help strengthen U.S. commercial quantum policy, enhance the development of trusted, resilient quantum supply chains, and develop a national quantum competitiveness strategy. We appreciate Rep. Langworthy’s leadership in introducing this bill.”
It is also backed by the leading research institutions in the state, which include Rochester Institute of Technology – RIT, University of Rochester, University at Albany, University at Buffalo, and Syracuse University, as well as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – RPI, and by regional economic development organizations, such as the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.
Congressman Langworthy concluded by stating that “Technology leadership is ultimately about more than winning a race for scientific breakthroughs. It is about making sure those breakthroughs become American-made products, American companies, and American jobs. We are perfectly positioned to take advantage of this enormous opportunity in Western New York and the Southern Tier, and I intend to make sure our region has a seat at the table.”