Senate Agriculture Chair Considers Postponing Crypto Bill Vote During Bipartisan Discussions

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman is contemplating a postponement of a committee vote on extensive cryptocurrency legislation as bipartisan discussions gain momentum ahead of a scheduled markup next week, as reported by Politico, citing three individuals familiar with the matter.

Key Takeaways:

• Senate Agriculture Chair John Boozman is considering delaying the vote on the cryptocurrency bill to strengthen bipartisan support.
• Discussions with Democratic negotiator Cory Booker are ongoing, with both parties expressing cautious optimism.
• Concurrent markups in various Senate committees and pressure from the White House highlight the urgency surrounding cryptocurrency regulation.

Boozman, a Republican from Arkansas, is set to advance the markup of the Senate’s cryptocurrency market structure bill on January 15.

However, he has indicated a willingness to defer the vote if negotiations with Democrats show significant progress in the upcoming days.

Bipartisan Discussions Prompt Consideration to Delay Crypto Bill Vote

The objective, according to those informed on the discussions, would be to solidify bipartisan support prior to moving the legislation forward.

The talks focus on negotiations with Cory Booker, the lead Democratic negotiator on the Agriculture Committee for the proposed bill.

Boozman and Booker met on Thursday, as one source indicated, while staff members from both sides continued private discussions regarding unresolved policy differences.

Despite the potential for a delay, Boozman publicly declared earlier this week that he planned to conduct a vote next week, irrespective of whether bipartisan support was achieved.

A spokesperson for Boozman, Sara Lasure, informed the outlet that the senator “remains committed to advancing a bipartisan bill,” while noting that the timing of the markup had not been officially altered.

ALERT: The Senate Banking Committee is scheduled to vote on the CLARITY Act—a significant cryptocurrency market structure bill—on January 15. This legislation could revolutionize crypto trading by mitigating manipulation and enforcing genuine transparency.
Key features:
– Prohibits wash trading and inflated… pic.twitter.com/VAwiEYyhoa

— Austin Hilton (@austinahilton) January 9, 2026

Booker has adopted a more positive outlook. In an interview on Thursday, he mentioned that discussions were progressing and expressed optimism that both sides could come to an agreement, indicating that negotiations were heading in a positive direction.

The legislative effort is taking place across several committees. The Senate Banking Committee is also planning a markup of its section of the cryptocurrency market structure package on January 15.

This committee oversees aspects related to the Securities and Exchange Commission, while the Agriculture Committee manages components concerning the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

The White House has urged Congress to act promptly. Administration officials, including crypto and artificial intelligence czar David Sacks, have encouraged lawmakers to conduct markups this month as momentum builds for establishing a clearer regulatory framework for digital assets.

Community Bankers Advocate for Changes to the GENIUS Act

Meanwhile, a coalition of U.S. community bankers is urging Congress to revise the GENIUS Act, contending that the law allows for stablecoin-related rewards that could compete with traditional bank deposits.

In a letter sent to the Senate, the Community Bankers Council of the American Bankers Association asserted that stablecoin issuers should be prohibited from indirectly providing yield through exchanges or associated partners.

The bankers cautioned that incentives linked to holding stablecoins on large trading platforms could siphon deposits away from local banks, diminishing their capacity to lend to small businesses, households, and farmers.

While the GENIUS Act prohibits stablecoin issuers from directly paying interest, the council claimed that the regulation is being compromised by third-party reward programs.

In November, Coinbase Global also urged the U.S. Treasury Department to ensure that its forthcoming rules for the GENIUS Act stay true to Congress’s original intentions.

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