US Senate delays CLARITY Act vote to mid-September, with White House warning that failure to pass by September 15 could significantly reduce chances of passage.
Regulation & Gov ·
Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed a procedural motion on August 8 to schedule a vote on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act for mid-September, after the chamber's August recess. The move signals Republican leaders believe they can secure the 60 votes needed for passage, though the bill currently requires support from all Senate Republicans plus at least eight Democrats. A White House crypto advisor indicated that if the measure does not advance by September 15, the likelihood of eventual passage could diminish substantially.
The Clarity Act would establish the crypto industry's first comprehensive federal regulatory framework, clarifying whether digital tokens qualify as securities or commodities and designating which agencies hold jurisdiction. The legislation has drawn backing from crypto companies citing a need for legal certainty, while banks have opposed provisions potentially enabling crypto firms to compete for deposits through stablecoin rewards. The White House has prioritized the bill during the current administration, according to reporting, amid broader crypto policy momentum that includes a stablecoin law signed into law in 2025.
Democrats remain divided on the proposal, with ongoing disagreements over restrictions governing government officials' personal crypto holdings. The timing of the mid-September procedural vote creates a narrow window for resolution before the deadline cited by White House advisors, leaving the bill's ultimate fate uncertain pending negotiations and the vote count in coming weeks.