The U.S. Senate reconvened in Washington on Monday for its final legislative sprint before the November midterm elections, with lawmakers preparing to advance two major bills: a cryptocurrency regulation measure and a college sports overhaul.
Senate to vote Tuesday on crypto regulation bill — The chamber is set to hold a procedural vote on Tuesday for the Clarity Act, a bipartisan bill that would establish a regulatory framework for digital assets. The legislation, which has undergone more than a year of negotiations, was revised again on Sunday by GOP senators in an effort to secure Democratic support. However, it remains unclear whether the bill can secure the 60 votes needed to advance, given ongoing skepticism from some lawmakers.
College sports bill faces opposition over athlete representation — Separately, Senate leaders aim to move forward on the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan proposal regulating name, image, and likeness rights as well as transfer eligibility. The bill has received backing from the Big Ten, SEC, and the White House, but its path forward is uncertain. The Congressional Black Caucus has withheld support, stating in a July letter that the legislation has failed to meaningfully include the perspectives of Black athletes, coaches, agents, and HBCUs. The caucus emphasized that those most affected by the bill have not been adequately consulted during its drafting.
Beyond these priorities, the Senate may also take up the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, though no timeline has been confirmed.
The legislative agenda comes after the Senate successfully avoided a government funding fight until after the midterms, delaying a potential shutdown. With lawmakers set to depart for the campaign trail next month, the coming weeks will determine whether these bills can overcome partisan divides and procedural hurdles before the recess.