CLARITY Act Faces May Delay Amid Bank Pressure Push

• Senate timing pressures and hearings narrow the window, risking delay of the CLARITY Act markup decision into May.

• Banking groups intensify lobbying against stablecoin yield provisions, expanding outreach to multiple committee members.

• Ongoing disputes over yields, ethics, and DeFi rules leave negotiations unresolved, complicating near-term legislative progress.

Bank lobbying and Senate scheduling pressures now threaten to delay the CLARITY Act markup, as negotiations intensify in April 2026. According to Crypto In America and Punchbowl News, lawmakers face a narrowing window this week to advance the bill. Senator Thom Tillis and other Banking Committee members weigh industry concerns while handling a packed legislative calendar.

🚨🗞️NEW: Bank Pressure Clouds Clarity Act Timeline

A lobbying campaign led by bank trades could push a markup of crypto market structure legislation to May. Plus, a new multi-million-dollar DeFi hack adds to the growing list of exploits this month. ⬇️https://t.co/cgA6nGxdpA

— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) April 20, 2026

Senate Schedule Tightens Timeline for Markup Decision

Early in the week, the Senate Banking Committee turns its focus to Kevin Warsh’s nomination hearing. President Donald Trump selected Warsh to replace outgoing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The hearing takes place Tuesday, drawing attention away from crypto legislation.

However, the committee must act quickly after the hearing. It has until Friday to issue a markup notice if it plans a vote during the week of April 27. Without that notice, lawmakers may shift the timeline into May, when the Senate returns from recess.

Banking Groups Intensify Outreach to Lawmakers

Meanwhile, pressure from banking organizations has increased in recent days. According to Crypto In America, groups including the North Carolina Bankers Association have targeted Senator Thom Tillis’ office. These groups oppose elements of the stablecoin yield provisions in the current draft.

Punchbowl News reported that outreach has expanded beyond Tillis and Senator Angela Alsobrooks. Banking representatives have contacted multiple committee members, seeking changes to the legislation. This campaign follows months of negotiations between banks and crypto firms, which produced a draft compromise late last month.

Key Disagreements and Negotiations Remain Unresolved

Despite earlier progress, several issues remain unsettled. Stablecoin yield provisions continue to draw criticism, especially after the White House Council of Economic Advisers released its report. The report downplayed risks tied to deposit outflows, prompting renewed objections from banking groups.

Senator Thom Tillis acknowledged ongoing discussions and urged additional time for review. He told reporters the committee should consider a May markup timeline. Meanwhile, he proposed a direct meeting between lawmakers, banks, and crypto representatives to address remaining concerns.

Alongside yield debates, negotiators still review ethics rules and decentralized finance provisions. These unresolved areas add pressure as lawmakers decide whether to proceed this month or delay further.