Lummis Fires Back at Warren, Says CLARITY Act Has 16+ Illicit Finance Safeguards

Senator Cynthia Lummis said the CLARITY Act contains more than 16 illicit finance safeguards, pushing back against claims that the legislation would create loopholes for money laundering and sanctions evasion.

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) pushed back against criticism of the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act, saying the legislation includes more than 16 provisions aimed at combating money laundering, sanctions evasion, terrorist financing, and other illicit financial activity. Her comments came after U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) argued the bill would make those risks worse.

According to the senator from Wyoming, more than 16 illicit finance safeguards are baked into the legislation. Pushing back against claims of regulatory gaps, Lummis cited Sections 201, 303, and 305 as concrete mechanisms specifically designed to combat money laundering, choke off foreign sanctions evasion, and neutralize illicit financial networks.

Under the CLARITY Act, Section 201 would apply Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements to digital asset brokers, dealers, and exchanges by treating them as financial institutions. Covered firms would need compliance programs, risk assessments, compliance officers, employee training, independent audits, and Suspicious Activity Reports.

Lawmakers continue to debate whether the bill strikes the right balance between establishing a regulatory framework for digital assets and strengthening protections against financial crime. Supporters say the measure gives regulators and law enforcement additional tools to combat illicit finance, while critics argue the legislation should include stronger safeguards.