Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed a motion to proceed on other legislation on Aug. 5, leaving the Crypto Market Structure Act, better known as the CLARITY Act, off the Senate agenda, according to crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett. The motion to proceed is a key procedural step in the chamber's legislative process, and Thune's decision to prioritize other bills signals that the CLARITY Act's core disagreements remain unresolved, especially over enforcement authority for the ethics clause. The bill previously cleared the Senate Banking Committee, but Democrats and Republicans are deadlocked on whether the Department of Justice or state attorneys general should serve as the lead enforcement agency for rules barring federal officials from issuing digital assets. Maryland Sen. Alsobrooks has said she will not support the bill if enforcement is limited to the DOJ rather than preserved for the states. With the Senate heading into its August recess, the legislative window for the CLARITY Act is closing quickly. Thune's agenda choice strengthens market expectations that a full floor vote before recess is unlikely. On the prediction market Predict.fun, the probability of the CLARITY Act being signed into law in 2026 has dropped to 16%.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed a motion to proceed on other legislation on Aug. 5, leaving the Crypto Market Structure Act — better known as the CLARITY Act — off the day's agenda, according to crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett.
A motion to proceed is a critical procedural step in moving legislation through the Senate. By handing agenda priority to other bills at this moment, Thune has made clear that the CLARITY Act's central disputes, particularly over who enforces the ethics clause, have not been resolved.
A Closing Window
The Senate is approaching its August recess, and the legislative window for the CLARITY Act is narrowing fast. The bill has already cleared the Senate Banking Committee, but Democrats and Republicans remain locked in a standoff over the ethics provision, which would bar federal officials from issuing digital assets. The core dispute: should the Department of Justice or state attorneys general act as the chief enforcement agency?
Maryland Sen. Alsobrooks has stated plainly that she will not support the bill if enforcement authority rests only with the DOJ rather than the states.
Reading the Agenda
Thune's decision to prioritize other bills has strengthened market expectations that the CLARITY Act will not reach a full floor vote before recess. On the prediction market Predict.fun, the probability of the act becoming law by 2026 has fallen to 16%.
This article was originally published by Bit.Fan. For more cryptocurrency news and market insights, visit www.bit.fan. Disclaimer:
The market information, project data, and third-party content displayed on this platform are for industry information sharing only and do not constitute any form of investment advice or return commitment.
Cryptocurrency trading carries high risks. Users should fully assess their risk tolerance and make independent decisions. All profits, losses, and legal responsibilities are borne by the users themselves.
