Elizabeth Warren is a die-hard critic of cryptocurrency. This makes her recent comments notable. In a newly circulated video, Warren stated clearly: “We need crypto legislation. I’ve been saying this for a long time.”
The Senate voted 49-50 against advancing the CLARITY Act on September 15. Not a single Democrat voted yes. Republicans held 53 seats but still fell 11 votes short of the 60 needed for cloture. Collins, Hawley, Moran, and Tillis were the four Republicans who also voted no.
This came after more than a year of negotiations. Republicans incorporated over 126 substantive changes at Democratic request. President Trump agreed to ethics provisions covering the president, vice president, members of Congress, and federal judges. On the morning of the vote, Democrats sent a counter-offer. Republicans rejected it.
Following the failed vote, seven Senate Democrats came forward seeking to reopen negotiations on the bill. Several are now publicly supporting crypto legislation in principle.
This shift in tone is significant. Democrats blocked the vote while calling for more negotiation. Now, with the vote behind them, they are signaling willingness to engage. Warren’s comments reflect a position the party is now adopting more openly.
Senator Thom Tillis voted no specifically to preserve a procedural option. Under Senate rules, a senator who votes on the prevailing side can move to reconsider. Tillis made that motion one minute after the result was announced. A second cloture vote on the same motion remains available without a new filing.
That move keeps the bill technically alive.
The calendar remains tight. Midterm elections are approaching and Senate floor time is limited. However, the procedural path stays open, Democratic rhetoric is changing, and the CLARITY Act may not be dead yet.