Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse is intensifying calls for the U.S. Congress to pass the CLARITY Act before the Senate heads into recess. Taking to X, Garlinghouse echoed the sentiments of Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty, pressing lawmakers to advance the high-profile crypto legislation rather than letting it stall.

The push comes as the digital asset industry continues to press Washington for a comprehensive market structure framework that would delineate regulatory authority between the SEC and CFTC — a fault line that has fueled years of enforcement actions and litigation, including the SEC's long-running case against Ripple over whether XRP qualifies as a security. For companies like Ripple, a clear statutory framework could reduce reliance on courts to define the boundaries of securities law.

"Perfect Can't Be the Enemy of Good"

Alderoty framed the issue as one of consumer protection, arguing that if the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act is left to languish until the next session, bad actors will continue to exploit crypto users who remain "left twisting in the wind with the status quo with no clear standards for bad actors to exploit." He urged legislators not to let the pursuit of an ideal bill obstruct meaningful progress, stating: "Perfect can't be the enemy of good. Let's get this done."

Garlinghouse threw his full support behind Alderoty's position:

My thoughts exactly…. Perfect can't be the enemy of good. Let's get this done! — Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) July 22, 2026

Democrats Push Back on Latest Draft

The most recent draft of the CLARITY Act has sparked heated debate over ethics, illicit finance concerns, stablecoin yield provisions, and customer protections. A group of Democratic senators — including Catherine Cortez Masto, Angela Alsobrooks, Cory Booker, and Ruben Gallego — issued a joint statement opposing the current version and calling for continued negotiations.

Agriculture Committee Backs Updated Text

Senator Cynthia Lummis has authored an updated version of the bill that has now secured the backing of the Agriculture Committee. Committee Chairman John Boozman voiced his support:

"It delivers the certainty consumers, businesses and markets have been calling for by creating strong safeguards while supporting responsible innovation. This is the result of months of bipartisan collaboration and continued conversations with stakeholders to strengthen the final bill."

The U.S. Senate Banking Committee GOP announced the development on X:

NEW: @SenLummis released comprehensive market structure legislation today. The Clarity Act protects investors, combats illicit finance, and keeps innovation in America. Read more: — U.S. Senate Banking Committee GOP (@BankingGOP) July 22, 2026

Narrowing Window for Senate Action

The legislation has reached the Senate floor calendar for consideration, but its path forward remains uncertain. Republicans still need additional Democratic votes to clear the Senate's 60-vote threshold. Meanwhile, the White House agreed this week to a new ethical framework addressing the ethical complexities surrounding the landmark crypto bill.

With the Senate's scheduled recess approaching in roughly a week, supporters face a narrowing window to resolve outstanding disputes and secure the votes needed for passage. If the bill does not advance before recess, it would carry over into the next legislative session, where shifting political priorities and the reintroduction of amendments could further delay a regulatory framework the industry has sought for years.