Anthony Scaramucci says President Donald Trump will sign a bipartisan ethics agreement that has been negotiated in recent days. If Trump follows through, the deal could unlock the Senate logjam for the CLARITY Act — a bill whose chances of passing this year have dropped to new lows.
What the ethics agreement would do
The agreement, hammered out by lawmakers from both parties, is designed to address long-standing concerns about transparency and conflicts of interest. Scaramucci, a former White House communications director who has remained in contact with administration officials, told reporters he believes Trump will approve it. “He’ll sign it,” Scaramucci said. “The president understands the optics and the need to move forward.”
Without Trump’s signature on the ethics package, the CLARITY Act — which would impose stricter disclosure rules on political spending — has stalled in the Senate. Supporters see the ethics deal as a necessary precursor to a floor vote.
CLARITY Act odds hit a new low
Despite the potential breakthrough, the CLARITY Act faces steep headwinds. Its odds of passage this year have fallen to new lows, according to legislative trackers. The bill has been stuck in committee for months, and opposition from some Republicans and outside groups has only hardened.
Scaramucci acknowledged the uphill battle. “It’s not a sure thing,” he said. “But this ethics agreement is the only path I see.”
One week left on the clock
Time is the biggest enemy. There is only one week left before the deadline for the CLARITY Act to pass this year. If the Senate doesn’t act by then, the bill dies and would have to be reintroduced in the next session — a process that would start from scratch.
That tight window puts pressure on both the White House and Senate leadership. Scaramucci’s prediction gives supporters a sliver of hope, but the calendar doesn’t lie. Lawmakers will have to move fast if they want to get the CLARITY Act across the finish line.
Whether Trump actually signs the ethics agreement — and whether that’s enough to break the Senate impasse — should become clear in the coming days.
