Crypto Legislation Stalemate in House as GOP Hard-Liners Defy Trump
July 16, 2025 — Washington, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives remains locked in a stalemate over a trio of cryptocurrency bills, despite President Donald Trump’s recent assertion that a deal had been reached with GOP holdouts. The deadlock has stalled progress not only on these crypto-related measures but also on key legislation like the Defense Appropriations Act.
Bills at the Center of the Dispute
The legislative impasse revolves around three bills aimed at regulating the cryptocurrency industry: the CLARITY Act, the GENIUS Act, and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance Act. These measures are designed to establish clearer guidelines and protections within the burgeoning crypto market, particularly targeting concerns over government surveillance tied to Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
House leaders announced Wednesday night that, while no further votes would take place for the day, the vote on moving the trio of crypto bills forward would remain open. As of Wednesday evening, with the vote held open since Wednesday afternoon, the rule governing the bills was failing, facing nine definitive Republican “no” votes and two others withholding their votes altogether.
GOP Hard-Liners Resist
The deadlock is largely fueled by a faction of conservative Republicans who have pushed back against the bills, rejecting compromises brokered by leadership. Speaker Mike Johnson was reported to have been in extended discussions with hard-liners and committee members on Wednesday while the vote remained open.
Prominent GOP representatives such as Byron Donalds, Lauren Boebert, Victoria Spartz, and Dan Meuser were seen exiting the meeting space as the tense negotiations continued. The atmosphere in the room was marked by intense conversation, with food and beverages brought in to sustain lawmakers during the long discussions.
Trump’s Role and the Deal That Fell Through
President Trump, who has repeatedly emphasized cryptocurrency as a top priority for his administration, had on Tuesday claimed he had reached a deal with the skeptical GOP members. According to Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, this deal included plans for the House Rules Committee to reconvene to strengthen the anti-CBDC provisions within the CLARITY legislation, aiming to protect Americans’ financial privacy from government overreach.
However, despite Trump’s announcement and attempted assurances, around a dozen House Republicans stood firm against advancing the bills earlier in the week. Their opposition, combined with a unified Democratic caucus against the legislation, has effectively frozen the House’s legislative activity for the week.
Context: Trump and Cryptocurrency
This congressional deadlock occurs during what the White House has dubbed “Crypto Week.” Trump, once skeptical about digital currencies, has become one of their prominent advocates and investors. Earlier this year, he launched his own crypto meme coin called $TRUMP. Beyond that, his family has actively engaged in the cryptocurrency space with ventures including a bitcoin mining firm, a stablecoin company, and other crypto-related endeavors.
During a recent public statement, Trump hailed the cryptocurrency industry as “very powerful” and crucial to maintaining American leadership in the sector, warning that without U.S. dominance, China would control it instead.
Legislative Impact and Next Steps
Beyond the cryptocurrency bills, this deadlock has blocked the House from advancing the Defense Appropriations Act, a critical piece of funding legislation, creating broader implications for federal operations.
As the impasse continues, Speaker Johnson and congressional negotiators are expected to maintain discussions with hard-line Republicans in an effort to break the stalemate. The outcome of these talks will be closely watched as lawmakers aim to provide regulatory clarity for the fast-evolving digital asset industry while balancing political and ideological concerns within the GOP ranks.
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