Why It Matters

IonQ Inc., a quantum computing company, has hired Michael Best Strategies LLC to lobby on its behalf. The new registration, filed on Thursday, August 20, marks the firm's formal entry into federal advocacy work on quantum computing policy.

Michael Best Strategies LLC registered five lobbyists to represent IonQ Inc.: Erik Berdy, a Partner; Brittan Specht, a Senior Director with prior congressional staff experience across 27 House Republicans; Lucia Alonzo, a Principal with prior government experience; Preston Hill, a Senior Director with prior government experience; and Jason Yaworske, a Senior Director who previously worked on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

By The Numbers

IonQ has pursued federal funding and support for quantum computing research. The company secured a $13.4 million contract with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory in September 2022 for ion trap quantum computing hardware research and development. It also secured a $5.7 million contract from the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security to design a networked quantum computing system for the Department of Defense (DOD).

Federal agencies spent approximately $1 billion on quantum research and development in 2022. The FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act recommended $100 million for quantum computing. Earlier appropriations efforts included funding for quantum computing programs at the Department of Energy, DOD, and National Science Foundation.

Broader Context

IonQ previously lobbied on multiple pieces of legislation related to quantum computing and federal research funding. In 2022, the company lobbied on the omnibus spending package that consolidated 12 individual appropriations bills for fiscal year 2022, which included funding for science agencies including the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology that fund quantum computing research.

IonQ also lobbied on the DOD's fiscal 2022 appropriations bill, which included funding for defense-related research and development programs such as quantum computing initiatives within the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and other DOD research agencies, and on the fiscal 2023 Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations bill, which was folded into the fiscal 2023 omnibus. Additionally, IonQ lobbied on the fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, which included requirements for DOD quantum computing roadmaps and strategies, authorities for quantum research programs across defense agencies, provisions addressing quantum-resistant cryptography, and support for quantum sensing and communications research.

Bottom Line

IonQ's shift to Michael Best Strategies LLC represents a strategic pivot in its federal advocacy approach. With five experienced lobbyists now representing the company across defense and science and technology issues, IonQ is positioning itself to influence quantum computing policy at a critical moment for federal research funding and national security priorities.

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