
The housing bill unexpectedly became a vehicle for one of the most significant policy battles over the issuance of a digital dollar.
The U.S. Senate has approved a sweeping bipartisan housing bill that bans the Federal Reserve from issuing a CBDC until 2030.
The bill passed by a strong 85-5 vote and awaits action in the House, where leadership and committee members reportedly plan to advance it quickly.
CBDC Ban Advances Through Housing Package
The housing package is designed to make homes more affordable and reduce competition from corporate firms. Interestingly, one of its provisions prevents the Fed from issuing a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC) for up to 4 years.
“Agreed to, 85-5: Motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.6644, 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act,” wrote the Senate.
Lawmakers were said to be considering a fast track that could see the bill signed into law as early as Tuesday, with House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill saying he “looks forward to the House moving quickly to advance this bill to President Trump’s desk.”
Senate Chair Tim Scott added that it is time for the American people to get real relief, and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren called it the biggest housing bill in over 30 years.
The latest development follows months of negotiation, during which the Senate first added the anti-CBDC provision in March, after which the House cleared the amended version in May.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January 2025 banning his administration from creating a CBDC, citing concerns that it would threaten the U.S. financial system and individual privacy. However, because this would only apply under his tenure, his allies in Congress pushed to include the restriction in the unrelated housing bill.
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House Schedules July CLARITY Act Hearing
As lawmakers prepare for key meetings over the next few weeks, momentum is building around the CLARITY Act. The House Financial Services Committee said it will hold a hearing in New York on July 17 to look at the impact the legislation will have on financial innovation.
Senator Cynthia Lummis has been one of the biggest supporters of the proposal, often taking to social media to urge lawmakers to act faster. In her latest commentary, the Republican warned that regulatory uncertainty has driven talented developers overseas.
But there have been serious repercussions for others, like Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm, who was found guilty of knowingly transmitting more than $1 billion in criminal proceeds. The DOJ also pushed for a retrial after the jury deadlocked on charges of money laundering and sanctions violations.
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