The U.S. Senate has shelved the crypto Digital Asset Market Clarity Act for the moment as it proceeds with different bills on Russian sanctions and federal nominations, further setting aside the industry’s central policy effort and reducing its available runway in a crowded Senate agenda.
Majority Leader John Thune started pursuing a package of nominees on Monday and expected to shift to a Russia sanctions bill Tuesday night, at which point he’s set to start its cloture process. The arcane Senate procedure to manage bill debates involves a number of steps and waiting periods before legislation typically get to a final vote, and the chamber’s procedures generally limit it to one disputed bill at a time. That means it’s unlikely the body can move on the Clarity Act before the other matters get sorted or expire, which could take days.
The Russia bill would impose sanctions on the country’s leadership and tariffs for trading partners, and it’s dedicated now to the recently deceased senator who supported it, Lindsey Graham. Plus, Graham’s funeral this week will occupy the chamber’s attention Tuesday and Wednesday, in Washington and South Carolina.
