After Record-Breaking House Stalemate, GOP Advances Trio of Crypto Bills
Washington, D.C., July 16, 2025 — After a historic nine-hour stalemate, the Republican-led House of Representatives finally advanced a set of three cryptocurrency-related bills late Wednesday night. The move, passed by a narrow 217-212 vote, marks a significant step in the ongoing effort to regulate and shape the future of the cryptocurrency industry in the United States.
A Record-Setting Delay
The vote became the longest in recent House history, surpassing the previous record set earlier this month during the rule vote for a major GOP spending bill. The delay was primarily due to objections from a small faction of House Republicans who initially opposed the legislation or withheld their votes. For hours, the chamber remained locked in a tense standoff, with nine Republicans voting against the rules for advancing the bills and two others abstaining.
Key Compromise on Anti-CBDC Legislation
The breakthrough came after GOP leaders offered assurances that an anti–Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) provision—the "Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act"—would be attached to the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This compromise was pivotal in persuading holdouts to flip their votes and clear the bill to proceed.
House GOP Whip Tom Emmer hailed the move, stating on X (formerly Twitter), "Attaching our Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act to the NDAA will ensure unelected bureaucrats are NEVER allowed to trade Americans’ financial privacy for a CCP-style surveillance tool." Emmer also noted that the legislation aligns with former President Donald Trump’s "America First" agenda, acknowledging Trump’s staunch support and prioritization of the bills.
Trump’s Role and GOP Leadership Efforts
In the tense moments leading up to the vote, House Speaker Mike Johnson held multiple meetings with holdout Republicans in his office in an effort to broker a deal. After the successful vote, Johnson told reporters he spoke with Trump just before the vote, reflecting the former president’s keen interest in the legislation. "I’m pleased that we’ll be able to get this done. The president is as well," Johnson said. He emphasized that securing consensus took time but was an essential part of the legislative process.
Only one Republican, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, ultimately voted against advancing the bills, underscoring the near-unanimity achieved by the Republican conference following intense negotiation.
Johnson anticipates a final passage vote on the GENIUS Act as soon as Thursday, while the related CLARITY Act may see a vote pushed into early next week.
Background: Crypto Bills and Continued Debate
The crypto legislation comes amid what the White House has termed "Crypto Week," highlighting the administration’s focus on cryptocurrency regulation and innovation. Earlier this year, Trump launched his own cryptocurrency meme coin and has publicly championed the sector as a critical and powerful American industry. Despite initially expressing skepticism about cryptocurrencies, Trump and his family have since immersed themselves in the industry, involving ventures such as bitcoin mining, stablecoin projects, and crypto reserves.
The bills at the center of the controversy include provisions to limit the Federal Reserve’s authority to issue a central bank digital currency, a move championed by libertarian-leaning conservatives concerned about government overreach and financial privacy.
On Tuesday, before the breakthrough vote, a dozen House Republicans joined Democrats in temporarily blocking the legislation, signaling deep divisions within the GOP and complicating the path forward.
Political Significance
The vote and ensuing compromise highlight the complex relationship between traditional conservative principles—such as limited government and privacy—and embracing emerging technologies like cryptocurrency. The legislative push reflects broader tensions within the GOP as factions negotiate the party’s future policy priorities and strategies.
As the bills move forward, all eyes will be on the House for the final votes, which could set important precedents for how the United States approaches digital currencies and financial innovation in the years to come.
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