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H.R. 10479House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Quantum Benchmark Act

Sponsored by Don BaconRep. Don Bacon (R-NE)
Introduced September 17, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 18, 2026 at 8:19 AM UTC

The Quantum Benchmark Act requires the Secretary of Defense to create a policy, within 180 days of the law’s passage, that guides how the Department of Defense develops and purchases quantum computing systems. The policy must define what counts as a quantum computing system, set up a process for validating and verifying those systems, and align the work with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative. After the policy is issued, any DoD quantum computing system must be validated and verified unless the Secretary grants a waiver, which must be reported to the congressional defense committees.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary of Defense must issue a policy on quantum computing system development and acquisition within 180 days of enactment.
  • The policy must include a definition of “quantum computing system,” a validation and verification process, and must be consistent with DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative.
  • No DoD element may develop or acquire a quantum computing system unless it has been validated and verified under the new policy.
  • The Secretary may waive the validation requirement on a case‑by‑case basis, but must notify the congressional defense committees within 15 days and provide a justification for the waiver.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

September 17, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 17, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

September 17, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 17, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10479

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 17, 2026

Mr. Bacon introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a policy to guide the development and acquisition of quantum computing systems for the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Quantum Benchmark Act.

2.

Policy to guide the development and acquisition of quantum computing systems for the Department of Defense

(a)

Policy required

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall issue a policy to guide the development and acquisition of quantum computing systems for the Department of Defense. Under the policy, the Secretary shall—

(1)

establish a definition of quantum computing system for purposes of the policy;

(2)

establish a process for validating and verifying quantum computing systems before such systems are developed or acquired by the Department; and

(3)

ensure that the development and acquisition of such systems is consistent with and informed by the findings and processes of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (or any successor initiative).

(b)

Limitation and waiver

(1)

Limitation

Following issuance of the policy under subsection (a), a quantum computing system may not be developed or acquired by an element of the Department of Defense unless the system has been validated and verified in accordance with such policy.

(2)

Waiver

The Secretary of Defense may waive the limitation under paragraph (1), on a case by case basis, with respect to a specific quantum computing system. In the event the Secretary issues such a waiver, the Secretary shall provide to the congressional defense committees, not later than 15 days after date on which the waiver was issued—

(A)

written notice of such waiver; and

(B)

the Secretary’s justification for the waiver.

(c)

Congressional defense committees defined

In this section, the term congressional defense committees has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code.