The Senate Banking Committee is now unlikely to take up the CLARITY Act in April, with signs pointing to a delay into May. Speaking at an event in Washington, D.C., Senator Bernie Moreno said crypto market structure legislation could pass by the end of May. He had also warned last month that missing that window could leave the bill stalled indefinitely.
April timeline weakens after committee notice does not go out
Expectations for an April markup have faded. According to Crypto In America, committee members would have needed to receive notice by Friday for the markup to move ahead next week. That did not happen. Senator Thom Tillis said he now expects the process to shift into May, with the earliest opening in the week of May 11 after the Senate recess.
Tillis said concerns from banking stakeholders still need review before the bill advances. His office has faced pressure from bank lobbying groups, including the North Carolina Bankers Association. Those groups have objected to parts of the stablecoin yield framework, though the text itself has not been published.
Lawmakers disagree on whether more delay is justified
Senator Cynthia Lummis has pushed back against any added delay, calling it unacceptable. Her position is that lawmakers should move ahead based on the progress already made rather than hold out for a perfect version of the bill. She also warned that a slower timeline could raise offshore risks and shrink the remaining legislative window.
Moreno took an even harder line on the banking sector’s objections to stablecoin yield. He described the complaints as “noise” and said banks should focus on innovation. The exchange reflects a clear clash between traditional finance interests and crypto policy efforts in the Senate.
Industry groups press for action after more than 270 days
Outside the Capitol, crypto industry groups are stepping up pressure. The Digital Chamber sent a letter urging the committee to move quickly, noting that more than 270 days have passed since the House approved the CLARITY Act. Sources also said other trade associations are preparing similar letters in the coming days.
The bill still has support, but the fight over timing and specific provisions is getting sharper. Whether the markup lands in May now depends on how the committee handles banking-sector concerns and whether senators are willing to lock in a formal schedule.