# 119-s-5313: Quantum-GUARD Act of 2026

119-s-5313, Quantum-GUARD Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] (D-DE); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-27).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5313
- As of: 2026-09-27
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-5313
- Congress: 119
- Title: Quantum-GUARD Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-08-06
- Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] (D-DE)
- Cosponsors: 2
- Policy area: Energy
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-27

## Summary

**Quantum cybersecurity for the bulk-power grid.** This bill would require FERC to factor quantum-computing risks into reliability-standard reviews and would direct DOE to run a post-quantum cryptography sandbox and a targeted risk study to guide grid protections. - When reviewing or modifying reliability standards, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would have to consider threats from quantum computers and the potential use of post-quantum cryptography, and could take actions it deems appropriate. - The Department of Energy would establish a post-quantum cryptography sandbox within 1 year to support testing and collaboration and would publish an outcomes report within 3 years to encourage adoption by grid operators. - The Secretary of Energy would produce a one-year unclassified study, with recommendations that map high-value IT/OT systems to reliability categories to help the Electric Reliability Organization and FERC apply protections.

## Cosponsors (2)

- Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL] (R-AL), 2026-09-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD] (R-SD), 2026-08-06T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Energy Department quantum cybersecurity program: benefit, high. If enacted, the Energy Secretary would set up a Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) sandbox within one year. The sandbox would test and help deploy PQC for grid information and operational systems and would prioritize systems and deployments over a five-year horizon. The Secretary would also study quan…
- FERC must consider quantum risks: benefit, medium. If enacted, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would be required to consider cybersecurity risks from quantum computers when reviewing or changing reliability standards under the Federal Power Act. The Commission would also have to consider potential uses of post-quantum cryptography in grid…

## Related bills

- 119-s-3257: John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act
- 119-s-5025: Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026
- 119-s-3940: Access to Fair Financing for Opportunity and Resilient Development Act
- 119-s-1241: Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025
- 119-s-1261: CONNECT for Health Act of 2025
- 119-s-558: Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-s-5313 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5313)

## Related
- [119-s-3257: John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3257)
- [119-s-5025: Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5025)
- [119-s-3940: Access to Fair Financing for Opportunity and Resilient Development Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3940)
- [119-s-1241: Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1241)
- [119-s-1261: CONNECT for Health Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1261)
- [119-s-558: Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-558)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5313 (as of 2026-09-27).