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President Donald Trump urged the Senate to pass the CLARITY Act after Lindsey Graham’s death, saying the crypto market structure bill should move forward in the late senator’s honor.
Trump called Graham a supporter of the legislation and warned that China could overtake the United States in digital assets. His appeal comes as lawmakers face a short window to complete the bill before the August recess.
Graham Was Not Part of CLARITY Act Talks
Graham died on July 11 at age 71 after suffering an aortic dissection caused by cardiovascular disease. He had represented South Carolina in the Senate since 2003 and became one of Trump’s closest congressional allies.
Graham was not a member of the Banking or Agriculture committees handling the CLARITY Act and did not take part in its negotiations. He supported the GENIUS Act, the stablecoin framework signed into law in July 2025, but did not cast a committee vote on the market structure bill.
Nordone Appointment Restores 53-47 GOP Majority
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve the rest of his term. Her appointment returns Republicans to a 53-47 Senate majority.
Mitch McConnell’s hospitalization could still leave the party with one fewer available vote if he remains absent. The replacement affects Senate math but does not resolve the CLARITY Act’s main obstacle: supporters still need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.
Ethics Dispute Threatens 60-Vote Path
The CLARITY Act would divide oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It also sets rules for token issuers, trading platforms and digital commodity intermediaries.
The House passed its version by a 294-134 vote in July 2025. The Senate Banking Committee advanced revised legislation 15-9 in May, with Democrats Ruben Gallego and Angela Alsobrooks joining Republicans.
That committee vote did not secure the 60 votes needed on the Senate floor. Democrats continue to demand restrictions preventing presidents, senior officials and their families from profiting from crypto businesses while shaping federal policy.
Trump and his family’s digital asset interests remain central to that dispute. The current bill does not include the ethics language sought by Democratic negotiators.
Revised Senate Draft Expected Before August Recess
Lawmakers are preparing a combined draft that brings together the Banking and Agriculture committee versions. The updated text could be released this week, but the ethics provisions remain unresolved.
Trump’s appeal does not settle the Senate vote-count problem. Senate leaders still need enough Democratic support and floor time before lawmakers leave Washington for the August break.
