CLARITY Act faces defeat as Senate ethics fight deepens

The CLARITY Act has moved closer to defeat ahead of its Sept. 15 Senate vote as lawmakers remain divided over presidential ethics rules and stablecoin rewards. Summary The Senate will hold a procedural vote on the CLARITY Act at 2:15 p.m. ET on Sept. 15. Republicans need at least seven Democratic or independent votes to reach the 60-vote threshold. Negotiators remain divided over crypto interests linked to President Donald Trump and his family. Bank concerns and the shortened House calendar have added further barriers to passage in 2026. CLARITY Act ethics talks remain stalled Semafor reported on Sept. 8 that Republican senators expect the crypto market structure bill to fail when the chamber returns, citing little progress on an ethics provision sought by Democrats. The proposed restriction would address whether a sitting president and immediate family members could profit from crypto businesses while federal policy affecting the industry is being written. According to two Democratic aides cited by Semafor, negotiators have made little movement on the demand. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., offered a brief assessment of the talks, saying the situation “does not look good right now.” Sen...