Lummis Blames Democrats for Failed Senate CLARITY Act Vote, Says Anti-Trump Sentiment Cost Policy Opportunity

Senator Cynthia Lummis sharply criticized Democrats after a Senate procedural vote on the CLARITY Act, a US crypto market-structure bill, failed to advance.

CoinDesk reported on September 22 that Lummis, speaking at a policy and regulatory event in Washington, called last week's failed procedural vote on the CLARITY Act "bewildering, incomprehensible and sad."

Lummis said Democrats refused to move the bill forward because of their hostility toward President Donald Trump, even though the legislation was drafted through bipartisan negotiations.

"In my view, Democrats dislike President Trump more than they like good policy," she said. She added that Democrats were responsible for giving up the chance to pass major policy legislation before the midterm elections.

Lummis also said Democratic demands were extensively reflected in the drafting process. According to her, the bill expanded from about 300 pages to more than 600 after provisions sought by Democrats were added, including investor protections in the event of bankruptcy.

She also pushed back on claims that the bill failed because of excessive pressure from Coinbase Chief Executive Officer Brian Armstrong, the broader crypto industry or Trump's meme coin business.

"Every Democrat voted no," Lummis said, arguing that responsibility for the bill's failure should not be shifted elsewhere.

She did, however, say Senators Angela Alsobrooks and Kirsten Gillibrand, both Democrats, engaged sincerely in the negotiations. Gillibrand has long co-sponsored crypto-related legislation with Lummis.