Daines leads $5.2B quantum computing funding redux - Bozeman Daily Chronicle
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Buy Now Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., speaks during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Capitol Hill on July 10, 2025 in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press Let the news come to you Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more. Explore newsletters Support Local Journalism If you value these stories, please consider subscribing.
Subscribe Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Montana Sen. Steve Daines is leading the brigade to recharge research and development funding for quantum computing, an advanced methodology utilizing simultaneous calculation to solve complex problems with exponential speed.The Chronicle caught up with the senator Wednesday after a Capitol Hill meeting where he introduced one of two bills revamping his original National Quantum Initiative Act, which Congress passed unanimously in 2018.Daines said he believes renewing the federal financial support could enable breakthroughs in medicine, wildfire detection, self-driving cars, artificial intelligence, banking and cybersecurity. The original funding for advancing the computing technology expired in 2023.The bill aims for $2.7 billion from the Department of Commerce and $2.5 billion from the Department of Energy during the next five years.Daines, a Montana State grad with a chemical engineering degree, partnered with Gov. Greg Gianforte at software company RightNow technologies for 12 years before both entered politics. The senator said he wants to continue fostering what he deems is a key component in the U.S. innovation ecosystem.“Light mapping to detect wildfires, gas leaks, self-driving cars — a lot of this is happening in our backyard,” Daines said. “Institutions like Montana State University, they are producing science, technology, engineering and math grads ... some of the best talent in the world. (The funding is) so we can attract and retain Montanans and great talent from around the country.”Daines toured MSU’s new Bozeman quantum computing research facility last October. Montana, particularly the Bozeman area and the southwestern part of the state, has one of the nation’s highest per capita concentrations of photonics or light-computation companies. Improvements in the industry are not only good for business, preventing Big Sky ‘brain-drain’, but are important for national security, per Daines.“We’ve got to beat China,” Daines said. “We’ve got to maintain our advantage in terms of quantum computing and science. You look at what’s happened from where computational power was years ago until now — (increasing) speed and efficiency will be tangible measures in terms of ... cybersecurity and encryption capabilities when you’ve got adversaries trying to break into our systems.” Let the news come to you Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more. Explore newsletters (0 Ratings) Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Tags Quantum Computing Computing Technology Computer Security Montana Branches Of Science Computer Science Montana State University Quantum Mechanics Steve Daines Contact the Chronicle Send us your thoughts and feedback as a letter to the editor. Submit by email, by post to 2820 W. College St., Bozeman, MT 59718 or use our online form. What to read next News Bozeman library evacuated Wednesday after bomb threat 58 mins ago News Daines leads $5.2B quantum computing funding redux 1 hr ago News People problem: Conservation-minded Montana businesses struggles with influx of tourists 1 hr ago News Comment on Yellowstone's plans for new North Entrance road at upcoming meetings 1 hr ago News Parade and celebration on Jan. 17 to honor Montana State championship football team 1 hr ago News Timeline: How a no-bid contract effort ensnared Sen. Ellsworth in political scandal 3 hrs ago What to read next News Bozeman library evacuated Wednesday after bomb threat News Daines leads $5.2B quantum computing funding redux News People problem: Conservation-minded Montana businesses struggles with influx of tourists News Comment on Yellowstone's plans for new North Entrance road at upcoming meetings News Parade and celebration on Jan. 17 to honor Montana State championship football team News Timeline: How a no-bid contract effort ensnared Sen. Ellsworth in political scandal Featured Local Savings