Committee advances post-quantum bill to speed NIST guidance for high-risk sectors

The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee on Thursday favorably reported HR 3259, the Post Quantum Cybersecurity Standards Act, which directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to support and accelerate voluntary adoption of post-quantum cryptographic standards in high-risk sectors.

Representative Stevens, who led the bill, told the committee that “Last year, NIST published the world's approved post quantum cryptography standard, a critical step in securing our future cyber infrastructure,” and urged proactive deployment across critical infrastructure sectors to avoid future compromises of encrypted data.

Stevens and other supporters framed the measure as a proactive effort to protect energy grids, hospitals, manufacturers and other critical systems from future quantum threats. Representative Ross said the bill will help the United States “set the global benchmark for post quantum cybersecurity.”

Representative Foster cautioned that mathematical attacks and advances in artificial intelligence could also threaten candidate algorithms, stressing the need for continued research and a well-resourced NIST to support secure migration.

No amendments were adopted during markup. Chairman Babin moved that the committee report HR 3259 to the House with a favorable recommendation; members requested a recorded vote and the measure was later reported favorably (35 ayes, 0 nays).

The bill would task NIST and direct the National Science Foundation to support research programs on post-quantum cryptography; specific funding levels were not provided during the markup. Committee staff were authorized to make technical and conforming edits before transmittal to the House.