Key Points
- Senate housing legislation contains an amendment preventing Federal Reserve CBDC issuance through December 31, 2030
- Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren jointly introduced the legislation
- White House released statement endorsing the legislation, specifically highlighting support for the CBDC prohibition due to privacy and liberty considerations
- Procedural cloture vote passed with 84–6 support, advancing the bill toward full Senate floor debate
- Stablecoins meeting specific criteria—open, permissionless, and private—remain permissible under the language
Legislation focused on expanding housing access currently moving through the US Senate contains language that would prevent the Federal Reserve from launching a central bank digital currency (CBDC) through the decade’s end.
The 303-page measure, titled the “21st Century ROAD to Housing Act,” received introduction Monday from Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott alongside Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren. The CBDC prohibition spans merely two pages within the broader package.
A critical procedural cloture vote resulted in 84–6 approval, paving the way for comprehensive Senate floor consideration. The overwhelming margin demonstrates substantial cross-party alignment.
The White House released a supporting statement for the bill. The administration specifically addressed the CBDC prohibition, noting a digital dollar would “pose significant threats to personal privacy and liberty.”
The prohibition prevents the Federal Reserve or any Federal Reserve bank from launching a CBDC “directly or indirectly through a financial institution or other intermediary.” The restriction includes expiration language set for December 31, 2030.
Beyond that deadline, fresh legislative action would become necessary to maintain the prohibition. Congressional action would be required to extend or establish permanent restrictions.
Coverage and Exemptions
The legislation establishes a specific exemption for stablecoins. Dollar-denominated digital currencies maintaining “open, permissionless, and private” characteristics that preserve privacy protections equivalent to physical cash remain permitted.
Public statements from Senator Scott and Senator Warren about the bill centered on housing affordability and regulatory reform, with neither legislator highlighting the CBDC provision.
Earlier Legislative Efforts Against US CBDCs
Congressional efforts to prevent a digital dollar have emerged before. Senator Mike Lee brought forward the “No CBDC Act” during February 2025, though the measure failed to advance.
Congressman Tom Emmer put forth the “Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act” in June 2025. House passage occurred on July 17, 2025, though the full Senate has yet to advance the measure.
The housing bill currently under consideration incorporates identical language while attaching it to legislation carrying wider political backing.
Worldwide, three nations have achieved full CBDC deployment: Nigeria, Jamaica, and The Bahamas. An additional 49 countries, among them China, Russia, India, and Brazil, maintain active digital currency testing programs.
The European Union continues pilot-phase operations. Germany’s central bank leadership expressed public support for a digital euro during February.
Full Senate floor consideration now awaits the housing bill, with the CBDC prohibition remaining in the text as drafted.
