White House to Meet Senators on Clarity Act Ethics Provision

Senior White House officials are expected to meet with U.S. senators on Thursday to try to resolve the most contentious remaining element of legislation aimed at regulating U.S. crypto markets, according to people briefed on the plans. With the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act entering what backers view as its final weeks for a realistic shot at passage this year, negotiators remain stuck on the bill's ethics language restricting senior government officials' personal business interests in the crypto sector. Democrats have pushed for those limits, citing concerns about President Donald Trump's ties to the industry, but talks have yet to produce a compromise as the Senate calendar tightens. White House officials — potentially including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, one person said — are expected to join the discussions in an effort to close the gap. A near-final draft of the Clarity Act had been expected to start circulating, but it could slip later in the week as negotiations continue, another person said. White House spokespeople did not immediately comment. Bipartisan Senate talks have recently stalled over the ethics provision, with Democrats seeking restrictions covering the president, vice president and members of Congress. Trump's disclosure that he made more than $1 billion from his industry involvement in 2025 intensified criticism. On Tuesday, several Democratic senators held a press conference urging opposition to the Clarity Act if it does not cut what they called Trump's "corrupt" ties to the sector. Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat who has been central to the ethics negotiations for months, did not join that group. Gallego and Democratic Senator Angela Alsobrooks — both of whom voted for the bill in committee — said in May they would not back final passage without an ethics provision. Industry participants have argued that locking in the ethics section would clear the way for the Clarity Act to move through the Senate's remaining hurdles. Whether Trump would accept restrictions that could affect him remains an open question. The Senate is scheduled to leave Washington for its extended summer recess after the first week of August, leaving only a few weeks to finalize a Clarity Act push before lawmakers disperse and turn more attention to November's midterm elections. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said he will move ahead with Clarity later this month, whether or not final language is complete.