The pace of legislative progress on cryptocurrency market structure in the U.S. Congress has tightened again. The Senate plans to vote on procedural motions related to the CLARITY Act on September 15, 2026, while the House’s shortened September session further reduces the window for completing the bill’s congressional process before the midterm elections.
The House reduced 8 legislative days.
House Republicans have canceled voting schedules for the weeks of September 21 and September 28, reducing the September legislative calendar by eight days. Under the current schedule, lawmakers are expected to leave Washington on September 17, significantly shortening the time available for bill coordination.
If the Senate passes a revised version, the bill must be sent back to the House for another vote. Only after both chambers approve the same text will the bill be sent to President Trump for signature.
File a procedural motion on September 15.
The vote on September 15 is not the final passage vote for the CLARITY Act. At that time, the Senate will hold a cloture vote on a procedural motion to advance H.R. 3633, determining whether to end debate and proceed to formal consideration.
- This program requires 60 votes to pass.
- The Senate currently has 53 Republican senators.
- Even if the party receives sufficient votes, at least seven cross-party supporting votes are still required.
If the motion passes, the Senate may formally begin debate and consider amendments. Afterward, to end debate and proceed to the final vote, another 60-vote threshold is typically required.
The bill may be delayed until after November.
Due to the shortened session of the House, the likelihood is increasing that the CLARITY Act will be delayed until after the November 3 midterm elections. If not completed before the election, both chambers may then need to decide whether to proceed during the lame-duck session.
Circle President Heath Tarbert said the CLARITY Act fills a critical gap in the U.S. digital asset regulatory framework and urged Congress to advance the legislation to establish a comprehensive legal structure for the digital asset market.