Senate Down to Four Session Days to Move CLARITY Act as White House Weighs Ethics Compromise

The U.S. Senate has just four scheduled session days left—Aug. 4 through Aug. 7—to advance the CLARITY Act before the chamber leaves Washington for its August recess, set to begin Aug. 10. The compressed timeline comes as the White House reviews a proposed ethics compromise, leaving a key bipartisan sticking point unresolved with broad implications for U.S. digital asset regulation. Crypto advocates and industry groups are stepping up their push ahead of the deadline. Stand With Crypto, which says it represents more than three million supporters, urged senators to pass the bill before recess and said backing extends across Wall Street, the crypto sector, and other organizations. The group also plans to score every senator's vote on the CLARITY Act, adding political pressure as the legislative window narrows. Negotiations are now focused on the administration's response to an ethics counterproposal submitted by Sen. Thom Tillis (R&NC) and Sen. Ruben Gallego (D&AZ). Journalist Eleanor Terrett reported the White House is reviewing the proposal, leaving one of the last major open issues unresolved. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R&SC) said he hopes lawmakers can move digital asset legislation soon, a timetable closely watched by investors, digital asset firms, and broader financial markets. If finalized, the legislation would shape how federal agencies oversee cryptocurrency exchanges, digital commodity brokers, token issuers, custodians, decentralized finance services, and other market participants. The ethics language has become central, tying industry operating rules to limits on digital asset transactions involving federal officials. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R&WY) released an updated version of the CLARITY Act on July 22, consolidating work from the Senate Banking and Agriculture committees after months of talks over consumer safeguards, enforcement authority, market supervision, national security, and federal oversight. The 616-page text sets registration frameworks for digital commodity exchanges, brokers, dealers, and qualified custodians, and addresses customer assets, software developers, decentralized finance, stablecoin yield, cybersecurity, illicit finance, self-custody, bankruptcy protections, and ethics requirements. The bill previously cleared the Senate Banking Committee on a 15&9 bipartisan vote, positioning it for possible floor consideration after negotiators worked through regulatory jurisdiction, stronger consumer protections, and enforcement tools intended to support digital asset innovation. Support has also broadened beyond Capitol Hill. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins has expressed optimism Congress can approve the measure, and Strategy Inc. (Nasdaq: MSTR) Executive Chairman Michael Saylor has backed it as a step toward clearer U.S. digital asset rules. With only four session days remaining, the procedural hurdles are in focus. Supporters may need 60 votes to overcome opposition before final consideration. Galaxy Research recently put the bill's odds of becoming law in 2026 at 30% as ethics negotiations and scheduling constraints persist. The ethics section includes limits on certain digital asset transactions, reporting requirements, a Government Accountability Office study, an effective date, and a sunset provision. White House feedback is likely to determine whether negotiators revise those provisions during the remaining four-day window or push talks into September when the Senate returns.