CLARITY Act Stalls in Senate Amid Procedural Tangle

The U.S. Senate failed to advance the proposed CLARITY Act in a cloture vote, falling short of the 60-vote threshold required to move toward a final vote.

Despite intense momentum last week, the bill, aimed at bringing clearer rules to digital-asset activity, lost the vote 49-50. Senator Thom Tillis switched his vote from yes to no on procedural grounds, but filed a motion to reconsider that could reopen debate during the current session.

The CLARITY Act's path forward is complicated by its partisan coalition: all 49 votes came from Republicans, while Democrats split in their support for the bill. However, seven Democratic senators who voted against advancing the bill say they remain committed to enacting CLARITY.

Crypto stakeholders argue that even if Congress stalls, U.S. regulators can still move on guidance, rulemaking, and exemptions under existing authorities.