Former Federal Prosecutor Says as “CLARITY Is Dead,” After Congress Talks

Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti says conversations with lawmakers and congressional staff in Washington left him convinced the bill has lost support, saying that “CLARITY is dead”

This comes as the bill faces a key Senate vote on September 15, with a shrinking House calendar and growing doubts over whether it can get enough votes to pass.

Mariotti Says Congress Has Moved On

During his recent visits to Washington, D.C., Mariotti said he heard it from multiple people who are in Congress, as members or staff, telling me directly that “CLARITY is dead.”

His comments add to growing doubts around the crypto market structure bill. While the CLARITY Act aims to create clearer rules for the U.S. crypto market, disagreements among lawmakers have made it harder for the bill to move forward.

With the CLARITY Act stalled in Congress, U.S. regulators are moving ahead on their own. The SEC is working on a separate crypto rules framework, while the CFTC is developing its own rules for crypto and prediction markets.

The slow progress has also weakened confidence among crypto industry supporters. Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan called the bill “walking dead,” saying, “Nothing can actually kill it, but it will lurch along.”

The September House Session Left With 8 Days

Despite Mariotti’s comments, the CLARITY Act has not officially failed. The Senate is still scheduled to hold a cloture vote on September 15, which could determine whether the bill moves forward.

The bill is also running out of time in the House. The House canceled two full weeks of scheduled September sessions, leaving lawmakers with only 14 active working days before the October election recess.

That leaves very little time for the House to debate, reconcile, and vote on a final version if the Senate manages to advance the legislation.

Meanwhile, Senator Cynthia Lummis is also urging lawmakers to act before the current Congress ends.

Traders See Low Chances for CLARITY

Meanwhile, prediction markets reflect the growing uncertainty. Polymarket contracts currently put the chance of the CLARITY Act becoming law in 2026 at roughly 13% to 18%, down sharply from above 80% earlier this year.