Gallego Urges Caution on CLARITY Act Vote Amid Ethics Disputes

Senator Ruben Gallego urged the cryptocurrency industry to slow its push for a quick Senate vote on the CLARITY Act, warning that rushing the legislation before resolving disputes over ethics rules and stablecoin yield could delay the broader digital asset package. Speaking at the SALT Wyoming Blockchain Symposium on August 19, the Arizona Democrat said forcing a vote before lawmakers finish negotiating key sections would risk setting the entire effort back.

Gallego emphasized that the CLARITY Act still requires substantial work, including finalizing the Agriculture Committee portion and assembling the full legislative package. He argued the industry should encourage Democrats and Republicans to keep negotiating instead of pressing for an immediate vote. "Don't go for a fast vote," Gallego said. "A fast vote gets you a fast result, but I'm not sure it's the result you want."

A central point in Gallego's warning was ethics. He said he and Republican Senator Thom Tillis submitted compromise ethics language to the White House before the congressional recess but had not received a detailed response. "We've been sending offers over and over again to the White House, and they've been...