CLARITY Act Markup Could Hold In April as Senate Eyes Year-End Passage, Senator Lummis Says

Senator Cynthia Lummis said the CLARITY Act will move to markup in April during the DC Blockchain Summit today. She confirmed that the Senate Banking Committee plans to take action after the Easter recess. Lummis added that lawmakers aim to pass the bill before year-end after months of negotiations and delays.

CLARITY Act Markup After Easter

Talking at the DC Blockchain Summit, Cynthia Lummis said the Senate Banking Committee will mark up the CLARITY Act in the second half of April. She stressed the process required patience since Labor Day while lawmakers coordinated with stakeholders. She confirmed the committee expects to advance the bill before aligning it with the agriculture panel’s version.

She explained the next step involves merging the banking and commodities provisions into one legislative package. However, lawmakers must first address an ethics issue involving elected officials and digital assets. Lummis noted the committee lacks jurisdiction over that matter, which requires separate handling.

She also credited Senate leadership for providing time to build consensus across parties. According to Lummis, lawmakers aim to secure more than 60 votes for passage. That level remains critical to advancing the legislation on the Senate floor.

Notably, Lummis’ prediction about an April markup for the crypto bill aligns with an earlier statement by Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Thune has said he didn’t expect the bill to advance before April, suggesting the markup could happen next month or later.

Key Issues Narrow as Yield and DeFi Debates Ease

Lummis said the CLARITY Act negotiations over stablecoin yield had delayed progress but now appear to be resolved. This comes after CoinGape noted earlier that the crypto industry and banks are close to a deal on the stablecoin yields provision.

Cynthia Lummis stated, “We think we’ve got it.” She added the Senate will complete the bill “come hell or high water” by year-end. However, she acknowledged that unexpected challenges slowed earlier momentum.

Decentralized finance (DeFi) has also been a contentious issue, particularly from Democrats concerned about illicit finance risks. Lummis said discussions on DeFi have been settled after extensive negotiations on the CLARITY Act.

That development removes a major obstacle ahead of the markup stage. A few days ago, lawyer Jake Chervinsky raised concerns about broader industry tensions. He warned that some banking interests oppose stablecoin liquidity within DeFi ecosystems. His remarks indicated ongoing disagreements beyond the current legislative framework.

Broader Legislative Push Faces Timing Pressures

Cynthia Lummis linked the delays to competing priorities, including war funding and the SAVE Act, on Monday. She urged lawmakers to finalize proposals quickly to maintain momentum. As CoinGape reported, Senator Kevin Cramer also called for urgency, warning delays could stall progress.

If the Senate passes the CLARITY Act, lawmakers must reconcile it with the House version. That process would produce a final bill before sending it to Donald Trump for approval. Each stage is necessary before the legislation becomes law.

In an X post, Lummis said the CLARITY Act aims to define securities and commodities boundaries. She added that it includes consumer protections while supporting domestic innovation. Lummis also stated that the current administration provides a favorable environment for digital asset legislation.

Her remarks show ongoing coordination between committees and leadership. On Polymarket, the odds show a 62% chance that the CLARITY Act will be signed into law in 2026.

Source: Polymarket