Majority Leader Thune Files Cloture on Clarity Act, Setting Up September 15 Senate Vote
Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed cloture early Saturday on the motion to proceed to the Clarity Act. The move gives the crypto market structure bill a path to the Senate floor when lawmakers return from their August recess.
Cloture Filing and Vote Schedule
Thune filed the motion at 4:52 a.m. ET during an overnight session. The Senate will vote on cloture for the motion to proceed at 2:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 15. Invoking cloture would limit debate on the motion but would not pass the bill or start full debate on the legislation itself. Republicans hold 53 seats, so the motion needs support from at least seven Democrats or independents if all Republicans back it.
Key Procedural Details
Thune first filed cloture on a judicial nomination before moving to the Clarity Act. He had told The Block late Thursday that Democrats insisted on delaying any Clarity vote until after the recess. “We’re getting that queued up first thing when we come back,” he said at the time.
Remaining Sticking Points
Filing cloture does not resolve the main disputes holding up the bill. Democrats remain focused on ethics rules, illicit finance provisions, and how Senate Agriculture Committee text will be included. An ethics compromise proposed by Sens. Ruben Gallego and Thom Tillis would allow state attorneys general to enforce a ban on public officials and their spouses issuing digital assets. It would also require President Trump to divest from crypto-related businesses, though he has not agreed. Sen. Josh Hawley has also said he will not support the bill until it addresses deposit flight concerns.
Industry Reaction and Outlook
Crypto Council for Innovation CEO Ji Hun Kim called the filing “a critical step forward” while noting the group had hoped for full consideration before the recess. The group plans to work with both parties during the August break to build support. Galaxy Research recently cut its odds of the Clarity Act becoming law in 2026 from 50% to 30%, citing the limited Senate calendar. Lawmakers return on September 14, leaving a narrow window before attention shifts to the November midterms.
