Senate postpones the Clarity Act vote to prioritize Russia sanctions. The bill's 2026 passage probability is under 38%, with disputes over stablecoin interest and ethics rules.
The Senate has shelved a vote on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act to advance a Russia sanctions package, CoinDesk reported. The crypto bill faces a tight window before the August 8 recess.
Majority Leader John Thune filed cloture Monday on a bundle of 74 presidential nominations. Jay Clayton was confirmed as Director of National Intelligence on July 28. Senate attention then shifted to the Russia sanctions legislation, which targets Russian officials and imposes tariffs on nations trading with Russia.
Memorial services for Senator Lindsey Graham on Tuesday and Wednesday in Washington and South Carolina consumed additional floor time.
Floor consideration of the Clarity Act before next week looks unlikely. Senate rules typically allow only one controversial measure to proceed at a time, requiring completion of the Russia package first.
The bill has appeared on the Senate calendar since early June but has faced repeated delays. Central disputes involve rules governing stablecoin interest payments and ethics language that would prevent high-ranking administration officials, including President Trump, from endorsing crypto ventures.
Trump consented last week to language constraining his digital asset activities. Democratic lawmakers immediately called the restrictions inadequate, citing his ongoing crypto business interests. Negotiations between the parties continue.
New York Attorney General Letitia James publicly urged Congress to oppose the bill. She argued the legislation would undercut state and local authorities' ability to prosecute crypto fraud.
Senate Democrats also want state prosecutors to have enforcement power over ethics provisions, rather than leaving enforcement to the Department of Justice alone.
Projections cited by CoinDesk put the bill's 2026 passage probability at under 38%.
Cryptocurrency industry representatives warned that continued delays could push the legislation to 2027. If this session ends without passage, the GENIUS Act on stablecoins and regulatory frameworks being developed by the SEC and CFTC offer alternative paths toward clearer rules.
Goldman Sachs, which carries an Alpha Score of 62, and Charles Schwab, at 63, are among the institutional backers.
Both chambers return in September for a short session. After the November elections, a lame-duck session begins, creating unpredictable legislative conditions.
If the Senate approves the Clarity Act, the House would need to pass it again before the President can sign it.
Drafted by a large language model from the source reporting linked above, then screened by automated publishing checks. It is not read by a journalist before publication. Some articles cite our Alpha Score. Verify prices and figures against the original source. Educational coverage, not personalized advice.