During the second day of Consensus Miami 2026, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand shared her confidence that the CLARITY Act will successfully move through Congress. She appeared on stage alongside Kevin O’Leary and Coinbase’s Paul Grewal, emphasizing that the bill could see progress before the Memorial Day recess later this month. The Senate Banking Committee is reportedly aiming for a markup session, which may be the last viable opportunity in this legislative cycle.
Gillibrand highlighted the need for bipartisan cooperation, noting that Democratic support is crucial for the bill’s advancement. She also touched on artificial intelligence regulation and the Democratic Party’s prospects in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Her remarks provide a counterbalance to Republican viewpoints at the conference, especially as the CLARITY Act’s fate hinges on cross-party agreement.
According to reports, Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott has gathered most Republican votes, but Senator John Kennedy remains undecided. Additionally, Senator Thom Tillis raised concerns that law enforcement groups are opposing a provision related to DeFi developer liability. Senators Cynthia Lummis and Bernie Moreno have stated that missing the May 21 deadline could delay the bill until 2030. Despite these hurdles, Gillibrand’s optimism signals that some Democrats are willing to provide the necessary backing to push the legislation forward.