CLARITY Act Vote Hangs on Democratic Support Ahead of Senate Recess

The CLARITY Act is nearing a Senate floor vote but still faces challenges in securing Democratic support. The bill needs 60 votes to pass and currently has 51 confirmed or likely yes votes, according to software engineer and crypto expert Vincent Van Code.

Republican support for the bill is solid, with Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) driving it forward since its earliest drafts. She chairs the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets and has personally held Bitcoin since 2013.

However, Democratic opposition remains a significant hurdle. Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), who initially voted yes in the Banking Committee markup, have since pulled back. Gallego joined a joint statement from seven Democrats criticizing the current text for falling short on ethics, consumer protection, and market integrity.

With the Senate breaking for recess around August 8, time is running out to secure the necessary votes. Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has committed to a floor vote during this work period, but it remains uncertain whether the bill will pass before the deadline.