Senate Setback Leaves CLARITY Act Facing Long-Shot Revival

The CLARITY Act failed to clear a Senate cloture vote on September 15, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance the crypto market structure bill.

The measure remains procedurally open after Sen. Thom Tillis moved to reconsider the vote. Digital Sovereignty Alliance managing director Adrian Wall said another attempt could be considered before the current Congress ends.

He did go on to characterize that prospect as complicated and a long shot. Following the failed vote on Tuesday, prediction markets such as Kalshi now show just an 8% chance of it passing before January 1, 2027.

What are the Key Takeaways from the Failed September 15 Cloture Vote?

The September 15 cloture vote on H.R. 3633 did not reach the 60-vote threshold required to move the bill forward in the Senate. Congress.gov records that Tillis moved to reconsider the vote, which did not invoke cloture on the motion to proceed.

Wall said senators from both parties are considering another effort to advance the legislation before the current Congress concludes.

His assessment does not mean another vote will occur, but it does indicate that the legislation has not been treated as finished after the unsuccessful cloture vote.

What Is Wall Hearing From Senators?

Wall said Wednesday that he had spoken directly with senators from both parties who were considering another push on crypto regulation before lawmakers adjourn.

He made the comments on Cointelegraph’s Chain Reaction show and said the information came from senators rather than congressional staff.

The comments followed Tuesday’s failed Senate cloture vote, which left the bill short of the votes needed to proceed. Wall described the vote as a major setback but said it did not necessarily mark the end of the legislation.

The Digital Sovereignty Alliance is a nonprofit advocacy group that works with lawmakers and regulators on digital asset policy. Tillis’s motion to reconsider means the Senate has recorded a procedural step related to the failed vote.

The motion does not itself set a date for another vote, and Wall’s comments describe a possible renewed effort rather than a confirmed Senate schedule.

Wall’s Assessment of the Latest CLARITY Act Drama

Wall indicated that there is interest in advancing the legislation during Congress’s lame-duck session. However, he cautioned that the process would be challenging, complicated, and remain a long shot.

According to Wall, senators from both parties have discussed a strategy to engage with one another to assess whether there is a final opportunity to move the bill forward.

This reflects Wall’s perspective on discussions with senators, but it does not confirm any scheduled votes or provide a vote count.

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What Happens Next in the CLARITY Act Story

The post-election lame-duck session is the period Wall identified for a possible second attempt at the CLARITY Act. No subsequent Senate vote is identified in the available reporting.

If another attempt in the lame-duck session fails, Wall said the next Congress could continue work on crypto market structure legislation.

For now, H.R. 3633 remains at a procedural stage following the failed cloture vote and Tillis’s motion to reconsider. Any renewed effort, based on Wall’s assessment, would be difficult and require further Senate action.

The bill’s near-term path, therefore, depends on whether lawmakers pursue the possibility Wall described during the lame-duck session.

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