March 10, 2026 — A group of 28 U.S. lawmakers, led by Michael Cloud, urged congressional leaders to enact a permanent ban on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) in the United States. In a letter sent to Mike Johnson and John Thune, the lawmakers argued that a digital dollar issued by the Federal Reserve could enable financial surveillance and expand government control over the monetary system. The request comes as Congress debates provisions in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (HR 6644), which currently proposes a temporary ban on Federal Reserve CBDC issuance until December 31, 2031.
High Signal Summary For A Quick Glance
- U.S. House members have called for a permanent ban on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
- Lawmakers argue a CBDC could enable government control over how individuals spend money.
- The push reflects growing political resistance to a U.S. digital dollar.
- The debate highlights tensions between financial innovation and civil liberty concerns.
- U.S. consumers concerned about financial privacy and spending autonomy.
- Federal Reserve policymakers studying digital dollar frameworks.
- Crypto and stablecoin ecosystems positioned as alternative payment rails.
- Financial institutions monitoring regulatory direction around digital currencies.
Lawmakers Intensify Push for US CBDC Ban
The effort stems from a letter sent by Michael Cloud and 28 lawmakers to Mike Johnson and John Thune calling for a permanent ban on a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC). They argue that a digital dollar issued by the Federal Reserve could enable financial surveillance and expand government control over private transactions. The demand comes as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) proposes only a temporary CBDC ban until December 31, 2031.
Opposition to CBDCs has been building in Congress for several years. In 2025, the House passed the Anti CBDC Surveillance State Act, introduced by Tom Emmer, which sought to block the Federal Reserve from issuing a digital dollar. The latest push aims to revive those stronger restrictions as lawmakers debate digital currency policy.
Previous Legislative Efforts to Block a U.S. CBDC
Efforts to restrict a U.S. central bank digital currency have surfaced several times in Congress. In March 2022, Ted Cruz introduced legislation aimed at preventing the Federal Reserve from issuing a direct to consumer CBDC. A similar proposal was reintroduced in 2023, citing concerns over financial surveillance and government control of digital payments. These early bills gained attention but failed to advance beyond committee stages in the Senate.
Momentum increased in 2024–2025 when Tom Emmer introduced the CBDC Anti Surveillance State Act, which passed the House with votes such as 216–192 in 2024 and 219–210 in 2025. Although both versions stalled in the Senate, they signaled strong political opposition to a digital dollar. The debates also coincided with bullish crypto sentiment, with Bitcoin and privacy focused assets seeing increased interest as lawmakers pushed back against government issued digital currencies.
Timeline: CBDC Ban Negotiations within the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
Housing for the 21st Century Act introduced
H.R. 6644 is introduced in the House as a major housing reform bill that later becomes the legislative vehicle for additional policy riders.
House committee approval
The House Financial Services Committee advances the bill, moving it toward full House floor consideration.
House passes H.R. 6644
The House overwhelmingly approves the legislation with bipartisan support, sending it to the Senate for further consideration.
Bill placed on Senate calendar
Following House passage, the legislation is formally scheduled for Senate consideration.
Merged Senate version released
The Senate Banking Committee publishes the combined “21st Century ROAD to Housing Act,” integrating House text, Senate housing proposals, and a temporary CBDC moratorium until roughly 2030–2031.
Senate advances the bill
The Senate approves a motion to proceed with strong bipartisan backing, moving the legislation toward debate and amendments.
House conservatives demand permanent ban
A group of House Republicans led by Rep. Michael Cloud urges leadership to replace the temporary CBDC moratorium with a permanent ban, warning the bill may fail in the House otherwise.
Senate floor debate underway
The Senate continues consideration of the merged housing package while negotiations intensify around the CBDC provision.
Expected Senate floor vote
Lawmakers are expected to hold a full Senate vote on the legislation following debate and potential amendments.
House reconsideration or conference
If the Senate passes a modified version, the bill may return to the House for approval or enter conference negotiations to resolve CBDC policy differences.
Possible final enactment
If both chambers approve a unified version, the bill could be signed into law with either a temporary CBDC moratorium or a permanent ban depending on negotiations.
Temporary CBDC ban sunset
If the Senate version stands, the CBDC moratorium would expire at the end of 2031 unless extended by future legislation.
Market Reactions to Earlier Anti CBDC Legislation
Early anti CBDC proposals in 2022–2023, including bills from Ted Cruz, had little direct impact on crypto markets. At the time, the industry was already in a bear cycle after the 2022 market crash, with Bitcoin falling from around $69,000 in 2021 to below $20,000 in 2022. Crypto Twitter sentiment was mildly supportive, framing the proposals as a stand against financial surveillance, but engagement remained limited.
Momentum increased when the CBDC Anti Surveillance State Act introduced by Tom Emmer passed the House in 2024 (216–192) and 2025 (219–210). Around these developments, Bitcoin traded near $67,000–$70,000 and briefly moved higher as traders viewed restrictions on a digital dollar as supportive for private stablecoins and decentralized assets.
What’s Next for the US CBDC Ban Debate
The next key step is the Senate’s full vote on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644), expected in mid March 2026 after it cleared a procedural vote 84–6. If approved, the bill with its temporary CBDC ban until December 31, 2031 will return to the House, where lawmakers led by Michael Cloud are pushing to replace it with a permanent prohibition.
Lawmakers may also attempt to revive stronger language from the Anti CBDC Surveillance State Act backed by Tom Emmer. If no compromise emerges, the dispute could delay the housing bill and prolong uncertainty around whether the Federal Reserve will ever issue a U.S. digital dollar.
