House to Retry Crypto Bills Amid Republican Disputes Over CBDC Ban

The U.S. House of Representatives is set to make another attempt to advance three key cryptocurrency bills on Wednesday after a planned re-vote was canceled on Tuesday due to internal disagreements among Republican lawmakers over including a ban on CBDC.

House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed the renewed push, stating it is “a priority of the White House, the Senate, and the House to do all of these crypto bills,” according to Politico. However, disagreements within the Republican ranks have delayed progress.

Republicans Push for CBDC Ban

Several Republicans want the stablecoin-regulating GENIUS Act either amended to include a CBDC ban or bundled with two other crypto bills — the Anti-CBDC Surveillance Act, which seeks to prohibit CBDCs, and the CLARITY Act, a broader crypto market structure bill. Johnson, however, indicated the Senate would not pass the bills if tied together, stating, “we have to do them in succession.”

The internal GOP dispute saw House Majority Leader Steve Scalise join 12 Republicans in blocking the procedural vote on Tuesday. Lawmakers including Andy Biggs, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Anna Paulina Luna insisted they support crypto legislation but demand a clear CBDC ban within the GENIUS Act before allowing it to proceed. Greene emphasized, “I just voted NO on the Rule for the GENIUS Act because it does not include a ban on central bank digital currency.”

Biggs expressed concerns that the GENIUS Act could lead to a layered CBDC framework, threatening self-custody rights. He called for an open amendment process, stating, “House Leadership must allow an open amendment process so Members can freely debate and improve the bill.”

Efforts to Advance Before August Recess

This renewed push comes as part of the GOP’s “Crypto Week” initiative to pass crypto regulations before Congress leaves for its August recess. Meanwhile, Democrats have launched an “anti-crypto corruption week” to oppose these efforts.

Speaker Johnson is in discussions with Republican holdouts to move the legislation forward. However, disagreements remain over whether the bills should pass individually or be combined into a single package. “We’re trying to work with the White House and with our Senate partners on this,” Johnson explained.

The House is scheduled to reconvene Wednesday for further legislative discussions. Caitlin Long, CEO of Custodia Bank, urged calm, noting that the GENIUS Act also initially failed a Senate vote before passing later. 

Meanwhile, Eleanor Terrett of the Crypto in America podcast clarified that the GENIUS Act already prohibits the Federal Reserve from launching a retail CBDC, addressing some lawmakers’ concerns.