House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill has expressed optimism that Senate Majority Leader John Thune could secure enough support to advance the CLARITY Act, one of the most significant cryptocurrency market structure bills currently before the U.S. Congress.
Speaking on Fox Business, Hill said Thune “could have the votes” as the Senate prepares for a key procedural vote on the legislation scheduled for September 15, 2026. The vote is expected to test whether the bill has sufficient bipartisan support to overcome a key Senate procedural hurdle.
The comments have renewed attention on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, commonly known as the CLARITY Act, as lawmakers return from the August recess with negotiations over several unresolved issues continuing.
French Hill Sees Possible Path Forward for CLARITY Act
During his Fox Business appearance, Hill pointed to the legislation’s earlier bipartisan support in the House of Representatives as evidence that the Senate could also build a coalition around crypto market structure legislation.
Hill noted that the House passed the CLARITY Act with support from 78 Democrats, alongside Republican lawmakers.
He argued that the Senate now has an opportunity to follow the House and move the legislation forward.
Hill’s comments centered on the upcoming Senate vote and whether Democrats and Republicans can reach sufficient agreement to advance the bill.
The September 15 vote could become a major test for Senate Majority Leader Thune’s ability to assemble the necessary bipartisan support.
What Does ‘Could Have the Votes’ Mean?
Hill’s comments should not be interpreted as confirmation that the CLARITY Act already has enough votes for final Senate passage.
Instead, the immediate focus is on a procedural vote to begin or advance formal Senate consideration of the legislation.
Under Senate rules, major legislation can require 60 votes to overcome a cloture hurdle and proceed past certain procedural obstacles.
That means the bill will likely require support beyond the Senate’s Republican majority.
Hill’s statement that Thune “could have the votes” reflects optimism about the possibility of securing bipartisan backing, rather than a guarantee of passage.
Senate Vote Scheduled for September 15
The Senate is expected to hold a key procedural vote on the CLARITY Act on September 15.
The vote had previously been delayed until after the August congressional recess.
Thune confirmed in August that Senate consideration would be pushed back, saying lawmakers were preparing to take up the legislation when they returned.
The September 15 vote does not necessarily represent final passage of the CLARITY Act.
If the measure clears the procedural stage, senators could still need to address amendments, negotiate remaining provisions and complete additional legislative steps before the bill can be sent to the House or the president.
What Is the CLARITY Act?
The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025, or CLARITY Act, is designed to establish a clearer regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and digital asset markets in the United States.
The legislation seeks to address longstanding questions surrounding the responsibilities of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Key objectives include establishing clearer rules around:
- Digital asset classification
- SEC and CFTC jurisdiction
- Registration requirements for crypto intermediaries
- Consumer protections
- Market structure
- Blockchain and decentralized technology
- Regulatory oversight of digital asset businesses
Supporters argue that the legislation could provide greater legal certainty for cryptocurrency companies and investors.
House Previously Passed the Bill With Bipartisan Support
The House of Representatives passed the CLARITY Act in July 2025 by a vote of 294–134.
All Republicans voting supported the legislation, while 78 Democrats also backed the measure.
Hill has repeatedly cited that vote as evidence that cryptocurrency market structure legislation can attract bipartisan support in Washington.
However, the Senate has developed and considered its own legislative language, meaning the process is more complex than simply holding a final vote on the exact version previously passed by the House.
The Senate Banking and Agriculture Committees have both played roles in shaping digital asset market structure policy.
Senate Banking Committee Already Advanced the Legislation
The Senate Banking Committee advanced its version of the CLARITY Act in May 2026.
Following the committee’s action, Hill and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson said the move represented important progress toward establishing a comprehensive digital asset framework.
The two House chairmen emphasized the need for a final framework that could reflect priorities across both chambers of Congress.
Despite that progress, negotiations have continued over several important provisions before the legislation can move through the full Senate.
Ethics Provisions Remain a Major Issue
One of the most significant issues in the Senate negotiations involves ethics rules related to public officials and cryptocurrency.
Some lawmakers have pushed for stronger restrictions intended to address potential conflicts of interest involving government officials and digital asset holdings.
The issue contributed to delays before the August recess and remains part of ongoing negotiations.
Other areas of discussion have included:
- Stablecoin-related provisions
- Decentralized finance rules
- Illicit finance safeguards
- Regulatory authority
- Consumer protections
The ability of lawmakers to resolve these issues could determine whether the Senate can maintain enough bipartisan support for the legislation.
Why Bipartisan Support Is Critical
Republicans currently control the Senate, but the CLARITY Act may still require Democratic support to overcome procedural hurdles.
That makes negotiations particularly important.
Hill pointed to the 78 Democratic votes the bill received in the House as evidence that a bipartisan coalition is possible.
However, Senate negotiations involve different lawmakers and potentially different concerns.
The Senate’s version must ultimately attract sufficient support while also remaining compatible with legislation that can pass the House.
SEC Chairman Paul Atkins Also Expects Movement
SEC Chairman Paul Atkins has also expressed optimism about progress on crypto market structure legislation.
Recent reporting indicates that Atkins expects the Senate to move on the CLARITY Act in September.
However, the SEC chairman does not control the congressional voting process, and his expectations do not guarantee that the legislation will clear the Senate.
The final outcome remains dependent on negotiations between lawmakers and the number of votes Senate leaders can secure.
Why the CLARITY Act Matters to the Crypto Industry
The U.S. cryptocurrency industry has operated for years under uncertainty about how federal regulators should classify and supervise different types of digital assets.
Companies have often faced questions about whether tokens should be regulated as securities or commodities and which federal agency has primary authority.
Supporters believe the CLARITY Act could reduce that uncertainty.
A clearer regulatory framework could potentially:
- Encourage investment in U.S. blockchain companies
- Provide clearer compliance requirements
- Strengthen consumer protections
- Define regulatory responsibilities
- Reduce legal uncertainty
- Support innovation in digital financial services
Critics and some lawmakers, however, continue to argue that stronger safeguards are necessary to protect consumers and address conflicts of interest.
The September Vote Is Not the End of the Process
Even if Thune secures enough votes on September 15, the CLARITY Act would still face additional legislative hurdles.
Senators may consider amendments or changes to the legislation.
If the Senate passes a version different from the House-approved bill, lawmakers could need to reconcile the differences between the two versions.
The House may also need to vote again on a revised measure.
Only after Congress agrees on a final version could the legislation be sent to the president for signature.
As a result, the September vote is better viewed as a critical milestone rather than the final step in the CLARITY Act’s legislative journey.
Congressional Calendar Adds Pressure
Timing could also create challenges.
The congressional calendar leaves lawmakers with limited time to complete negotiations and move major legislation.
According to recent reporting, the House’s schedule could create a narrow window for additional action if the Senate makes significant changes requiring further consideration by House lawmakers.
The timing adds pressure to negotiations as supporters seek to move the bill through Congress.
Could Thune Deliver the Necessary Votes?
The key question is whether Senate Majority Leader Thune can secure enough bipartisan support to clear the procedural hurdle.
Hill’s comments suggest House leaders believe a path exists.
However, the exact number of senators supporting the bill has not been publicly confirmed.
Several issues remain under negotiation, and senators could change their positions depending on the final legislative language.
The September 15 vote should therefore provide a clearer indication of the bill’s current level of support.
What Happens Next?
The next major milestone is the Senate’s expected procedural vote on September 15, 2026.
Before then, lawmakers are expected to continue negotiations over unresolved provisions.
The possible outcomes include:
The bill advances:
If Senate leaders secure enough votes, lawmakers can move forward with formal consideration and additional legislative procedures.
The bill is delayed:
If negotiations remain unresolved, Senate leaders could postpone further action.
The procedural vote fails:
Failure to secure enough support could force lawmakers to renegotiate the bill or reconsider its legislative strategy.
The final outcome remains uncertain.
Conclusion
House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill says Senate Majority Leader John Thune “could have the votes” to advance the CLARITY Act, raising expectations ahead of a key Senate procedural vote scheduled for September 15.
Hill’s optimism is partly based on the legislation’s earlier bipartisan success in the House, where 78 Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the bill.
However, the legislation still faces significant hurdles.
Ethics provisions and other policy issues remain under negotiation, while the Senate will need sufficient bipartisan support to overcome procedural barriers.
The September vote will not necessarily determine final passage, but it could provide the clearest indication yet of whether the CLARITY Act has enough momentum to become the comprehensive U.S. cryptocurrency market structure framework that its supporters have been seeking.
