Legislative Calls to Action -- Sep 9, 2026
Congress returns on September 14 for a brief session.
Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act
On September 2, 2026, President Trump signed into law H.R. 6500, the "Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027." It includes a short-term continuing resolution (short term spending bill) that provides fiscal year 2027 appropriations to federal agencies through December 11, 2026, keeping the government funded, and extends authorities for a broad range of programs including surface transportation and veteran programs.
The Clarity Act
The only bill expected to receive a vote before a lengthy recess is the Clarity Act.
The Clarity Act missed sponsors’ legislative window when the Senate adjourned for its August recess without voting on the bill. Now, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has scheduled a key procedural vote for Sept. 15, after the Senate returns from its recess, potentially paving the way for a full floor vote. Unresolved issues include stablecoin rewards and ethics provisions tied to President Trump and his family’s crypto interests. Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, one of only two Democrats voting to advance the bill out of the Senate Banking Committee, has been working on a bipartisan compromise regarding ethics language for the Clarity Act. There is still a chance for the bill to advance in the Senate, but Republicans and Democrats need to find consensus, Gallego said.
The provisions would prohibit “covered officials” — the president, vice president, members of Congress, and their spouses — from issuing or sponsoring digital assets for compensation while in office. (Coindesk.com) Concerns of the bill:
• It doesn’t cover his adult children. The restriction doesn’t extend to Don Jr. and Eric, so critics argue the family’s crypto empire stays largely untouched. This is the most-cited loophole.
• It sunsets January 20, 2029 — the day Trump’s term ends. Critics note the ethics ban expires right as he leaves office, limiting its practical bite on him.
• Enforcement sits solely with the DOJ — specifically Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, a close Trump ally — and excludes state attorneys general, a structure Democrats have called unacceptable.
On July 22, Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and several other Democratic senators criticized the CLARITY Act for falling short in areas like ethics, consumer protection, and market integrity. At a Semafor event, Alsobrooks specifically objected to the proposed DOJ-only enforcement, calling it "wild and unserious," while Democrats are advocating for state attorneys general to have enforcement authority, a demand Republicans oppose. https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/clarity-act-stalls-senate-ethics-111350270.html
