Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on the Senate to hold a vote on the CLARITY Act before lawmakers leave for recess next week, while pushing back against criticism of the BRCA provision that has become the main sticking point in bipartisan talks.
The BRCA provision hurdle
The BRCA provision — a section of the bill that has drawn fire from some lawmakers and advocacy groups — is currently the biggest obstacle to a bipartisan deal on the CLARITY Act. Bessent did not detail the specific objections but acknowledged the provision has been a source of contention. The Treasury secretary argued that the criticism is misplaced and urged senators to move forward with the legislation.
Bessent's pushback
Speaking publicly about the impasse, Bessent defended the BRCA provision and called on the Senate to act. He did not offer any concessions or propose changes to the language, instead pressing for a vote before the upcoming recess. The secretary's remarks suggest the administration sees the bill as a priority and is unwilling to let the BRCA dispute derail it entirely.
The Senate is expected to consider the CLARITY Act in the coming days, though the path to passage remains uncertain. With the recess looming, Bessent's appeal sets up a tight timeline for lawmakers to resolve their differences over the BRCA provision. If the Senate fails to vote before the break, the bill's prospects could slip further into the legislative calendar.
