{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2026/5/photo-blackburn-keynotes-tennessee-valley-corridor-national-summit-in-chattanooga", "PHOTO: Blackburn Keynotes Tennessee Valley Corridor National Summit in Chattanooga", "2026-05-29", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "Senate", "TN", "Marsha Blackburn", "B001243", "www.blackburn.senate.gov", "blackburn", "https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0", "scraper", "Blackburn Discusses Opportunities Ahead with Emerging Tech\n\n\u201cWith the time I have, I\u2019d like to look at the opportunities we have ahead of us with emerging technologies; discuss how Congress is supporting these developments; and outline why Tennessee is better prepared than any other state to secure America\u2019s tech dominance.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe know that America\u2019s 21st century leadership rests on our ability to develop and lead in emerging technologies, especially AI, quantum, and advanced nuclear. We also know that the development of each one of these technologies rests on the others.\u201d\n\n\u201cQuantum will provide the rails that AI will ride on\u2014while handling complex computations needed for advanced reactors. AI is accelerating the development of quantum computers while aiding the construction and operation of reactors. And nuclear energy will provide the reliable, base-load power needed to scale up AI and quantum infrastructure.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith these technologies, there are trillions of dollars in potential economic growth on the table. But more importantly, U.S. leadership in AI, quantum, and advanced nuclear is essential to our long-term national security.\u201d\n\nBlackburn Discusses Congressional Action to Advance AI, Quantum, and Nuclear\n\n\u201cIn March, I unveiled the discussion draft for the TRUMP AMERICA AI Act\u2014comprehensive legislation that would create one federal rulebook for AI. This bill answers President Trump\u2019s call for national AI standards while ensuring that America wins the global race for AI supremacy.\u201d\n\n\u201cI recently introduced legislation, alongside several of my Senate colleagues, to reauthorize and expand the National Quantum Initiative Act (NQIA). First signed into law by President Trump in 2018, the NQIA supported research and development, improved coordination between industry and government, and promoted international standards for quantum.\u201d\n\n\u201cAlong with the NQIA, I have led several bipartisan bills to promote U.S. quantum development, including legislation to bolster quantum research at the Department of War; support our nation\u2019s quantum innovation hubs, including in Tennessee; create a Manufacturing USA Institute to spur quantum manufacturing; and establish a public-private partnership to develop near-term, commercial applications for the technology.\u201d\n\n\u201cFinally, on nuclear. I am so pleased that President Trump and his administration are taking strong action to eliminate red tape and support the nuclear energy industry. With his executive orders to speed up approvals for new reactors and strengthen fuel supply chains, he is helping usher in a 21st-century nuclear renaissance.\u201d\n\n\u201cTo support this effort, I was pleased to secure a tax benefit in the Working Families Tax Cuts, or One Big Beautiful Bill, for certain advanced nuclear facility projects\u2014support that will directly benefit the TVA\u2019s Clinch River Site.\u201d\n\nBlackburn Makes the Case for Why Tennessee Must Lead the Nation in Emerging Tech\n\n\u201cWith all the assets Tennessee has, we are better positioned than any other state to lead in these emerging technologies and address our nation\u2019s most pressing national security issues.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs I mentioned earlier, the development of AI, quantum, and nuclear energy depend on each other. And in Tennessee, we are fortunate to be leading in all three technologies.\u201d\n\n\u201cScientists at Oak Ridge National Lab are conducting cutting-edge AI research, achieving quantum breakthroughs with Frontier, and advancing nuclear research, including at the Y-12 National Security Complex.\u201d\n\n\u201cOak Ridge\u2019s work has drawn tremendous investment into our state. More than 220 nuclear companies call Tennessee home, including 150 in the Oak Ridge area alone.\u201d\n\n\u201cUT Knoxville is also working hand-in-hand with Oak Ridge to advance nuclear research and educate the future leaders of this vital industry. And for nearby McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, I was honored to lead the Tennessee congressional delegation in urging the Air Force to select the 134th Air Refueling Wing to host the KC-46.\u201d\n\n\u201cEPB has deployed America\u2019s first industry-led commercially available quantum network\u2014lowering the barrier for innovators to use this technology. At the same time, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is leading the nation in quantum research and education with its Quantum Center.\u201d\n\n\u201cVanderbilt is leading on quantum and AI research. In December, it partnered with the EPB to launch the Institute for Quantum Innovation. And in 2024, it launched the College of Connected Computing to focus on computational thinking, AI, and data science.\u201d\n\n\u201cLast week, Middle Tennessee State University and Middle Tennessee Electric announced a new partnership to advance quantum science research.\u201d\n\n\u201cThrough the Pathfinder Program, Fort Campbell has partnered with Vanderbilt to solve complex problems facing our service members.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn Tullahoma, Arnold Air Force Base leads the nation in hypersonic testing, which will continue to prove vital as we develop the Golden Dome.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe University of Memphis is working with the U.S. Navy to spearhead new innovations in drone technology.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen it comes to national security, we need the brightest minds working together. That\u2019s why this summit is so great. And that\u2019s why I am so optimistic about the future of our state and our nation.\u201d", 1, "2026-06-05T06:35:23Z", "2026-06-05T06:36:42Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2026/5/photo-blackburn-keynotes-tennessee-valley-corridor-national-summit-in-chattanooga"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8359879720956087, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}