Lobbying Against CLARITY Act Intensifies: Is A Vote Really Coming This July?

• Lobbyists are putting more pressure on senators to reject the CLARITY Act as the bill reportedly heads to a floor vote in the final two weeks of July.

Lobbyist are intensifying their campaign to block the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act. Is this a sign that its vote on the Senate floor is closing in?

Reports indicated that the bipartisan bill could get a vote as early as the last two weeks of July. It may very well be the case as the opposition is doubling its efforts to ensure it doesn’t reach President Donald Trump’s desk.

Recently, the American Bankers Association (ABA) and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) sent a letter to the leaders of the Senate majority and minority, urging their camp to push for stronger provisions against stablecoin and crypto rewards in the CLARITY Act. It comes despite the matter already having been settled before the bill’s markup in Congress’ upper chamber.

ADVERTISEMENTThe high-stakes drama is hitting a fever pitch as the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) has launched a video message warning about the repercussions of the legislation’s Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA) section. Meanwhile, “The OC” Actor Ben McKenzie went to Capitol Hill to personally urge lawmakers to include ethics provisions in the bill.

National Sheriffs’ Association Launches Campaign Against CLARITY Act’s BRCA

A circulating video message shows the NSA, one of the USA’s largest law enforcement organizations, asking the public to convince their representatives to vote “no” on the CLARITY Act, particularly its BRCA section. The group even called cryptocurrency “the cartel currency of choice.”

Additionally, the sheriffs alleged that the CLARITY Act protects only the crypto industry and not the public. It claimed that it only makes it easier for cartels to operate while making law enforcement officials’ jobs harder.

ADVERTISEMENTIt follows the organization’s previous attempt to block the bill together with the National District Attorneys Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and other law enforcement groups.

“The OC” Actor Ben McKenzie Talks to Senators on Capitol Hill

Furthermore, McKenzie reportedly went to Capitol Hill to join Senate Democrats in opposing the CLARITY Act. The actor particularly criticized the bill’s lack of an ethics provision preventing Trump and his family from engaging in conflicts of interest in crypto.

McKenzie told the press that those who will vote against the CLARITY Act will be on the right side of history. On the other hand, he warned that the public will not forget those who will vote for its passage.

“If you vote against CLARITY, you will be on the right side of history,” said McKenzie. “If you vote for CLARITY, you can be damn sure we will not forget the truth. Voting against Clarity offers every senator an opportunity to go on the record and do the right thing.”

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