White House Crypto Adviser Blasts Senate Dems as CLARITY Act Deadline Looms

Witt said that if senators cannot vote on the bill by September 15, the legislation's chances would be permanently stalled. Thune has insisted the CLARITY Act will be the chamber's first priority after the recess, and his motion puts the bill in line for the Senate's cloture process, which involves several procedural steps and waiting periods before a final vote.

The September window is the last period of Senate business before the November midterm elections take over the calendar. Lawmakers remain split on financial-crime provisions, stablecoin rewards, and government ethics guidelines. In July, Senators Gallego and Tillis proposed an ethics compromise that would give state attorneys general the power to enforce a ban on public officials and their spouses launching or sponsoring digital assets. The plan also requires President Trump to sell his stakes in crypto-related businesses; he has yet to sign off.

The bill needs roughly 60 votes to pass. Republicans hold 53 seats, meaning at least seven Democrats or independents would need to support the measure if the entire GOP caucus backs it. Crypto Council for Innovation CEO Ji Hun Kim posted on X that the group plans to lobby both parties over the August break to lock in the votes needed for September.

Because Thune filed the motion, the Senate can vote almost immediately upon return, potentially clearing the first hurdle on its second day back. Senators need only a few days within the three-week September session to complete the voting process.

A failure to advance the bill would leave digital asset companies waiting longer for a market-structure framework as lawmakers pivot to the midterms. The legislation is intended to clarify the jurisdictional boundaries between the SEC and CFTC, addressing a long-standing source of uncertainty for crypto firms operating in the United States.