Key Highlights
- The National Sheriffs’ Association changed its position on the CLARITY Act from opposed to neutral on September 3.
- The NSA said the bill is complex and still has important details under discussion, so it will step back and let Congress continue the process.
- The shift comes ahead of the September 15 Senate vote, while lawmakers still work on other unresolved issues surrounding the bill.
The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) has changed its position on the CLARITY Act from opposition to neutral, giving lawmakers a different signal as they continue to debate the bill.
In a September 3, 2026 letter, the group told Senate leaders that the law is complex, several key details are still being discussed, and it will now allow the legislative process to move forward.
The letter was sent to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Charles Schumer. NSA President Sheriff Troy Wellman and Executive Director Justin Smith said the association believes it is better to step back while Congress works on the bill.
This does not mean the sheriffs’ group supports the CLARITY Act. Instead, it means the NSA will no longer oppose it.
Why the group stepped back
The association explained that the CLARITY Act is trying to create rules for a digital asset market that has operated without enough regulatory oversight. It also recognized the work being done by Congress, the administration and other groups to deal with the legal, regulatory and law enforcement questions linked to the crypto market.
“We believe the most appropriate course is to step back and allow the legislative process to proceed to establish a clear, effective, and much-needed regulatory framework,” Wellman and Smith wrote.
What NSA previously warned about
The new position is a change from the NSA’s earlier concerns about the bill. In a May letter to the Senate Banking Committee, the association warned that Section 604 could give mixers, tumblers and decentralized finance platforms a “blanket exemption” from anti-money laundering rules.
The group said this could make it harder for law enforcement to trace some digital asset transfers. It also warned that software, algorithms and AI agents could be used to move digital assets without enough tracing or accountability.
Law enforcement concerns remain
According to the May letter, such activity could be used for money laundering, terrorism financing and avoiding sanctions.
Those concerns later brought the NSA and other law enforcement groups into discussions with the White House.
The administration invited groups that had raised objections to the crypto market structure bill to discuss their concerns, particularly around protections against illegal finance.
Industry pushes back
The NSA’s earlier opposition also faced pushback from the crypto industry. Blockchain Association CEO Summer Mersinger argued in a July opinion article that the sheriffs’ concerns about the bill were misplaced and described the CLARITY Act as an important consumer protection effort.
Now, the NSA has chosen to step away from that fight while Congress works through the remaining issues. The timing is important because the Senate is expected to consider the bill in September after months of negotiations.
Senate prepares for the vote
A Senate cloture vote is scheduled for September 15. The vote needs 60 senators to support it before the bill can move forward. Republicans hold 53 seats, meaning at least seven Democrats would need to join them.
The Senate still has issues to settle, including questions about rules that could limit the president’s ability to profit from digital assets. The House has already passed its version of the CLARITY Act, but the bill still faces further debate in the Senate.
For now, the NSA’s message is clear: it is no longer asking lawmakers to reject the bill. Instead, the association is choosing to remain neutral and let Congress continue working toward a regulatory framework for digital assets.
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