The U.S. Senate is set to resume work on the CLARITY Act on Wednesday, with Majority Leader John Thune expected to push for a procedural vote to advance the legislation. No cloture motion was filed Tuesday, leaving the bill's path forward uncertain but still alive.
What the CLARITY Act would do
The bill aims to clarify regulatory frameworks for digital assets, a topic that has divided lawmakers for months. Supporters argue it would provide much-needed legal certainty for crypto firms and investors, while critics worry it could weaken consumer protections. The legislation has been stalled in the Senate since passing the House earlier this year.
Wednesday's expected move
Thune's office has signaled he will attempt to bring the bill to the floor for debate on Wednesday. But that requires overcoming procedural obstacles — a cloture motion needs 60 votes to succeed. With the Senate split 51-49, Thune will need at least nine Democrats to cross the aisle. That's no sure thing.
Several moderate Democrats have expressed openness to the bill in recent weeks, but no commitments have been made publicly. The White House has not issued a formal position, though some administration officials have privately raised concerns about the bill's impact on existing securities laws.
What happens if cloture fails
If Thune can't get the 60 votes, the CLARITY Act would likely be shelved until after the August recess. That would push any potential vote into September, when the calendar gets crowded with appropriations and other must-pass items. Supporters are pushing for a deal this week to avoid that delay.
Opponents, meanwhile, are urging colleagues to vote no, arguing the bill is too favorable to the crypto industry. They want more time to negotiate amendments. But Thune appears determined to force a vote.
"We've been talking about this for months," Thune said in a brief hallway interview Tuesday. "It's time to move."
The Senate is expected to convene at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Whether Thune actually files cloture then — or waits for more whip counts — remains the open question.
