Who?

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) — Ranking Member, Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Derivatives, Risk Management & Trade

LISTEN: Laslo & Booker

Ask a Pol asks:

What’d you do to crypto? We heard you Democrats derailed crypto reform, in part because of allegations of Trump family conflicts of interest?

Key Booker:

”I swear I didn’t break it,” Booker laughs. “There’s still a very good bipartisan glidepath to get something done.”

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Caught our ear:

“If you allow this space to go unregulated, it invites all kinds of, not just corruption, but also really dark, sinister activities that we have a chance to curtail and stop,” Sen. Cory Booker exclusively tells Ask a Pol Crypto. “There’s a lot of illicit activity in this space that we should be working really hard for national security purposes to stop.

“In addition to that, for me, the consumer protections are urgent. But I’m in this space — I wanted to work in this space because of the democratizing forces of blockchain. We really are seeing a lot of opportunities being created for people that have been screwed over by the large finance industries in the first place.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Cory Booker (2-11-2026)

SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo approaches Sen. Cory Booker as he’s waiting to catch an underground Senate tram from the US Capitol back to his office across the street.

Matt Laslo: “What’d you do to crypto?”

Booker laughs.

Sen. Cory Booker: “I swear I didn’t break it.”

Laslo laughs.

Laslo: “I heard y’all derailed it?”

CB: “No.”

Laslo: “Am I getting — talkin to too many Republicans over here?”

CB: “I think there’s still a very good bipartisan glidepath to get something done.”

Laslo: “Did — what derailed it at the end? Was it the Trump family?”

CB: “I wouldn’t say it’s derailed.”

Laslo: “Was it the Trump family?”

CB: “I mean, clearly there’s going to have to be ethics rules there. I think the Wall Street Journal’s story about the crypto sheikh is an obvious example of why it is so unethical not to have any kind of ethics…”

ICYMI — WSJ piece Booker mentions

CB: “…but I hear from the other side that they’re willing to work with us on that, so I still think this has a bipartisan pathway to getting done. And I’m going to be relentless in working to get it done.”

Laslo: “Are you guys hearing more from like the Coinbases of the world or the regulators themselves?”

CB: “I hear from every interested party…”

Laslo: “Yeah?”

CB: “…from the regulators to consumer advocates, to industry, to consumers themselves. This is obviously something that there’s a chorus of people that want it done and done right.”

Laslo: “Yeah?”

CB: “And so that’s one of the reasons why it takes a lot of my time and energy, folks.”

Laslo: “So you don’t think any of these entities are now like, ‘we’re better off if we wait till after the election?’”

CB: “I think if you allow this space to go unregulated, it invites all kinds of, not just corruption, but also really dark, sinister activities that we have a chance to curtail and stop.”

Laslo: “Yeah?”

CB: “There’s a lot of illicit activity in this space that we should be working really hard for national security purposes to stop.”

Laslo: “Yeah?”

CB: “In addition to that, for me, the consumer protections are urgent. But I’m in this space — I wanted to work in this space because of the democratizing forces of blockchain. We really are seeing a lot of opportunities being created for people that have been screwed over by the large finance industries in the first place.”

Booker hops the tram, as Laslo heads back to the Capitol.

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Ask a Pol AI Disclosure:

Ask a Pol’s playing around with as many new AI tools as we can, so this small, unfunded startup can compete in today’s new media landscape. (generative) AI isn’t tomorrow’s tech — it’s yesterday’s…

Who?

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) — Chair, Senate Banking Committee Digital Assets Subcommittee

LISTEN: Laslo & Lummis

Ask a Pol asks:

How are you feeling on crypto after Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott cancelled the scheduled markup over last minute Coinbase complaints?

Key Lummis:

“I’m going to be okay,” Sen. Cynthia Lummis exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “We’ll get back to it, but it’s going to take a while to develop a plan on how to take another run at it.”

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ICYMI — Coinbase tweet on X heard round the Senate

Any guess on next markup date…?

“It’ll happen this year calendar year,” Lummis says. “That’s all I can say.”

Do you know that?

“I’m not going to reach out to do it immediately,” Lummis tells Ask a Pol. “People need a chance to soak in what happened.”

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Caught our ear:

Can you all get to a point where the banks and crypto folks will all be happy with a compromise measure?

“Not happy. I think we can get to a point where neither will be — where they’ll all be less unhappy, but I don’t think anybody will get happy,” Lummis says.

“We had what we thought was an agreement that the banks were satisfied with, but I think as time went on and the banks were lobbying different members of the Banking Committee, I think that they were emboldened by what they were hearing,” Lummis conitnues, “and then they, maybe, got a little greedy and pushed too far, and so they lost everything. You know, they lost everything. They wanted changes to GENIUS [Act] in CLARITY [Act], and they lost them all.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Cynthia Lummis (1-15-2026)

SCENE: At the very end of the Senate’s last vote ahead of their weeklong MLK Jr. recess, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo walked with Sen. Cynthia Lummis as she looked for her staffer just off the Senate floor.

They never found the Senator’s staffer, though, after a few minutes, they did attract a few other congressional reporters (ie, Bloomberg, Politico, PunchBowl and others who eat Ask a Pols’ crums regularly…).

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Matt Laslo: “How are you feeling on crypto?”

Sen. Cynthia Lummis: “Ugh.”

Laslo: “Right?”

Lummis: “I’m going to be okay.”

Laslo: “Yeah?”

Lummis: “We’ll get back to it, but it’s going to take a while to develop a plan on how to take another run at it.”

Laslo: “How much are you guys hearing from the regulators at CFTC and SEC as opposed to the companies?”

Lummis: “Well, of course, nothing in the last few hours [late Thursday afternoon]. We did seek a lot of technical assistance leading up to the bill, the vote on — the amendments on the bill — so we’ve pursued technical assistance from federal agencies all along.”

Laslo: “Yeah?”

Politico: “So what is your outlook for rescheduling the markup?”

Lummis: “Yeah, it’ll happen this year calendar year. That’s all I can say.”

They laugh.

Laslo: “Is that hopeful or do you know that?”

Lummis: “I’m not going to reach out to do it immediately. People need a chance to soak in what happened.”

Laslo: “Yeah? What did happen?”

Politico: “Yeah — what do you think was the primary cause?”

Lummis: “The interest issue. So it is the issue that remains from the Genius Act and it just was really significant in doing away with the Clarity Act.”

Politico: “And you think it’s possible to get to a point where the banking folks and crypto folks will all be happy with whatever…?”

Lummis: “Not happy. I think we can get to a point where neither will be — where they’ll all be less unhappy, but I don’t think anybody will get happy. We had what we thought was an agreement that the banks were satisfied with, but I think as time went on and the banks were lobbying different members of the Banking Committee — and I think that they were emboldened by what they were hearing and then they, maybe, got a little greedy and pushed too far. And so they lost everything. You know, they lost everything. They wanted changes to GENIUS [Act] in CLARITY [Act], and they lost them all.

“And I think — we had an agreement at one point, in principle. But, and the other thing is, there’s other good stuff for banking in CLARITY, but I don’t think they know that. So now they have to look back and say, ‘okay, where did we push too hard? Where — what else was in there that we didn’t know was advantageous to banking and should we revisit our position?’ So…”

Laslo: “When you say banks, does that include Coinbase and the digital companies?”

Lummis: “No.”

Laslo: “Or is this just the banks?”

Lummis: “This is just banks.”

Laslo: “Yeah.”

Lummis: “Traditional banks and credit unions.”

Bloomberg: “Do you think that — you know, Senator Kennedy’s been recommending a public hearing where both sides get to come in and sort of make their case?”

Lummis: “Yeah, and actually…”

Bloomberg: “Do you think that might be the next step?”

Lummis: “I do, but I I would recommend against public. And the reason being, then we’re going to hear from people who oppose any changes, and that’s not productive. So I would prefer to seek sort of a curated hearing — where we’re hearing from people who are stakeholders in the bill.”

Bloomberg: “Yeah? As opposed to sort of like an academic who hates crypto.”

Lummis: “Right. Exactly.”

Laslo: “What about Jane and Joe public?”

Lummis: “You know, I can’t even get members of the Banking Committee deeply enough involved in this...”

Laslo: “Yeah?”

Lummis: “…and so to bring in the public, I just, I don’t — maybe that’s what they’ll want. Maybe that’s what Mr. [Sen. John] Kennedy and Mr. [Sen. Mike] Rounds will want, and maybe that’s what we’ll have to do. But I’m struggling with seeing how that moves us to a conclusion.”

Reporter III: “And, Coinbase, what they did yesterday was obviously made a big splash. Are you frustrated at Coinbase? Are you frustrated that they came out and sort of derailed this at the 11th hour and how do you feel about it?”

Lummis: “Yeah, I’m actually kind of glad they came out and said what they didn’t like and were more specific, because some of the things they didn’t like — I wish they would have chosen a different venue than social media than a tweet — but they indicated that I’d given away too much and Republicans had given away too much in the area of privacy and that we need to revisit that. And so in a way, you know, I’m glad they brought that out, because even though I’m not happy that it came out on Twitter — everybody did see that, Republicans and Democrats, so maybe the Democrats are just thinking, ‘Wow, if we really want to get a bill done, we’re going to have to give a little to this industry on privacy.’”

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Reporter III: “So what do you make now of the balancing act that you and Chairman Scott have of Coinbase and parts of the industry coming out and publicly saying the areas of the bill that they have concerns with, and then you have Democrats on the other side whose votes you still need to ultimately pass something.”

Lummis: “Yeah.”

Reporter III: “How can you thread that needle?”

Lummis: “Stay tuned. We’ll figure it out.”

Laslo laughs.

Lummis: “Thanks.”

Laslo: “Thank you, ma’am.”

Hangers on: “Thank you.”

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AI Disclosure:

Ask a Pol’s playing around with as many new AI tools as we can, so this small, unfunded startup can compete in today’s new media landscape.

Who?

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) — Chair, Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets

LISTEN: Laslo & Lummis

Ask a Pol asks:

How’s your attempted crypto compromise looking?

Key Lummis:

“We’re still negotiating and trying to keep the ball moving,” Sen. Cynthia Lummis exclusively tells Ask a Pol Crypto.

Are you optimistic because it’s so bipartisan does it have a chance during the midterms?

“I think it does have a chance, and we’re trying to keep it bipartisan,” Lummis says. “If it doesn’t happen before things go uber-partisan in 2026, it won’t be for lack of trying on my part.”

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Caught our ear:

“I’m sad,” Lummis tells us.

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Cynthia Lummis (12-16-2025)

SCENE: Ask a Pol‘s Matt Laslo snags Sen. Cynthia Lummis as she’s on her way to vote in the US Senate.

Matt Laslo: “Hey!”

Sen. Cynthia Lummis: “Hey!”

Laslo: “How’s crypto?”

Lummis: “Wait.”

Laslo: “Huh?”

Lummis: “Thanks for the visit last night.”

ICYMI — Laslo and Lummis had very personal drug chat

Ask a Pol politics

Sen. Lummis admits "war on drugs" failed but still backs drug boat strikes

Who? Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) — Member, Senate Banking Committee…

Listen now

4 months ago · Matt Laslo

Laslo: “Yeah?”

Lummis: “Yeah. I’m glad you survived that ordeal.”

Laslo: “Yeah.”

Lummis: “Yeah — okay, ‘how’s crypto?’”

Laslo: “Yeah?”

Lummis: “Still working?”

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Laslo: “Markup not happening this week (last week Congress was in session for 2025)?”

Lummis shakes head no.

Laslo: “Didn’t think so.”

Lummis: “I’m sad. But…”

Laslo: “Yeah?”

Lummis: “We’re still…”

Laslo: “Still momentum for the New Year?”

Lummis: “I hope so. We’re still negotiating, and trying to keep the ball moving.”

Laslo: “Has it gotten more political as the year went on?”

Lummis: “You know, I — with a small “p.” Yeah, I think it has, but I don’t — I can’t figure out why, maybe is the right response to that.”

Laslo: “Are you optimistic because it’s so bipartisan does it have a chance during the midterms?”

Lummis: “I think it does have a chance, and we’re trying to keep it bipartisan. If it doesn’t happen before things go uber-partisan in 2026, it won’t be for lack of trying on my part.”

Laslo: “Yeah?”

Lummis: “I’ve been trying to move heaven and earth.”

Laslo: “Yeah?”

Lummis: “Yeah. Thank you.”

Laslo: “Have a good one, ma’am.”

AI Disclosure:

Ask a Pol‘s playing around with as many new AI tools as we can, so this small, unfunded startup can compete in today’s new media landscape.

Who?

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

LISTEN: Laslo & Gillibrand

Ask a Pol asks:

Any crypto update?

Key Gillibrand:

“I’ll just tell you we had a very positive bipartisan meeting,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand exclusively tells Ask a Pol Crypto. “I’m very optimistic things will continue to move forward.”

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Before the winter holidays?

“I don’t have any thoughts on timing,” Gillibrand tells us.

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Caught our ear:

Lobbyist (speaking over US Senator): “I’m sorry, we can’t do this right now,” as the US Senator speaks over his misinformation….

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (12-11-2025)

SCENE: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, an aide and lobbyist are walking through a crowded US Capitol hallway during a Senate vote when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo asks for a brief crypto update, even as the lobbyist tries to block Ask a Pol from getting an answer.

Matt Laslo: “Any crypto update?”

Lobbyist: “I’m sorry…”

Kirsten Gillibrand: “I’ll just tell you…”

Lobbyist: “…we can’t do this right now.”

Gillibrand: “…we had a very positive bipartisan meeting, and I’m very optimistic things will continue to move forward.”

Laslo: “Before the break?”

Gillibrand: “I — I don’t have any…”

Laslo: “Yeah?”

Gillibrand: “…thoughts on timing.”

Laslo: “Thank you, ma’am.”

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AI Disclosure:

Ask a Pol‘s playing around with as many new AI tools as we can, so this small, unfunded startup can compete in today’s new media landscape.

Who?

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) — Ranking Member, House Financial Services Committee

LISTEN: Laslo & Waters

Ask a Pol asks:

What do you make of what’s happened to the crypto measures — over in the Senate, seems they’re getting closer to a deal?

Key Waters:

“We’ve done just about all that’s going to be done, certainly this year,” Rep. Maxine Waters exclusively tells Ask a Pol Crypto. “We’ve got a long way to go.”

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Caught our ear:

“It has growing bipartisanship, but you don’t know how that’s going to play out during the campaigns,” Waters tells us of her outlook for the New Year.

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TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Maxine Waters

SCENE: After voting on the floor of the US House of Representatives on a crisp evening, 17-term Congresswoman Maxine Waters is waiting for her rideshare on a sidewalk outside the Capitol’s main House entrance as her colleagues, aides and Capitol Police officers scurry about causing mini-traffic chaos.

Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo sees the powerful progressive alone, so he slides in for a quick crypto update.

Matt Laslo: “I haven’t seen you in so long.”

Maxine Waters: “Hi.”

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ML: “What have you thought of what’s happened to the crypto measures — it seems like in the Senate they’re close to a deal?”

MW: “Well, I think we’ve done just about all that’s going to be done, certainly this year. We have a long way to go with crypto.”

ML: “Yeah?”

MW: “You know, stablecoin* may have a chance…”

*the GENIUS Act was signed into law by President Trump in July. The Senate has yet to take up the House-passed CLARITY Act, which would determine whether stablecoins fall under the SEC or CFTC.

ICYMI — Summer refresher…

MW: “…but I’m not so sure. We’ve got a long way to go.”

ML: “Yeah?”

MW: “Yeah.”

ML: “Well, I mean, the shutdown ate up so much prime legislative real estate.”

MW: “Yes.”

ML: “Yeah? But crypto’ s so bipartisan, do you think it actually might have a shot in the election year next year?”

A large, if quiet, SUV pulls up in back of Laslo who’s got one foot on the curb.

MW: “Oh, be careful.”

ML: “Yes, ma’am.”

Laslo takes a step away from the curb.

MW: “Yeah, it has growing bipartisanship, but you don’t know how that’s going to play out during the campaigns, where some people will be using it in a positive way but others will be using it in a very negative way.”

ML: “Yeah?”

MW: “So, it may be some changing...”

A large dark SUV rolls up slowly.

MW: “Is this my car?”

ML: “Is that you?”

MW: “Intend to go find out.”

ML: “Virginia? You got a staffer coming?”

MW: “Oh no, I have a driver coming.”

ML: “Oh, nice.”

MW: “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

ML: “And they’re coming to this side?”

MW: “What?”

ML: “I always get confused with those [apps].”

Laslo laughs at his small talk.

MW: “With the fire in the tunnel, I think he might get a little mixed up.”

ML: “Yeah? And that was just — a fire in the tunnel? One of the cars?”

Waters nods yes.

ML: “Ooh — nobody was hurt?”

MW: “No, no.”

MW: “Good.”

Laslo stands there awkwardly as the Congresswoman tries to find her Lyft.

ML: “I just feel bad. I don’t want to leave you out here alone.”

MW: “It’s okay. I’m fine. I’m fine.”

ML: “You’re good?”

MW: “The Capitol Police are out here.”

ML: “Yes. Yes, ma’am.”

MW: “Thank you.”

The Congresswoman continues looking at her app.

ML: “Have a good one. Be well.”

Laslo walks back to the Capitol.

AI Disclosure: Ask a Pol’s playing around with as many new AI tools as we can, so this small, unfunded startup can compete in today’s new media landscape.

Who?

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

LISTEN: Laslo & Gillibrand

Ask a Pol asks:

Any update on crypto negotiations in the Senate?

Key Gillibrand:

“Great bipartisan meetings. We’re doing really good work,” Gillibrand exclusively tells Ask a Pol Crypto. “I’m very optimistic.”

Caught our ear:

“I would say there are no hurdles,” Gillibrand says. “Just areas of interest that must be discussed.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (11-20-2025)

SCENE: As Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and a former aide walk from the Capitol to her office across the street via an underground tunnel, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches the Senator for a quick update on the Senate’s bipartisan crypto talks.

Matt Laslo: “Any update on crypto?”

Gillibrand Aide: “On what?”

Kirsten Gillibrand: “Great bipartisan meetings. We’re doing really good work. I’m very optimistic.”

ML: “Do you feel like it’s still doable by the end of the year or…?”

KG: “Possibly, but the date is less important than the quality of the work. The work is excellent, and we have a lot of bipartisan language already and we’re trying to finish all the open items as soon as we can.”

ML: “What are the biggest hurdles remaining?”

Aide: “I’m sorry, I really gotta…”

KG: “I would say, there are no hurdles. There’s just areas of interest that must be discussed.”

ML: “I will let you go.”

KG: “Okay.”

Aide: “Thank you, Matt.”

ML: “Preciate ya.”

Aide: “Of course.”

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Who?

Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) — Chair, Senate Agriculture Committee

LISTEN: Laslo & Boozman

Ask a Pol asks:

How was your call with White House AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks this week — any update?

Key Boozman:

“We’re making progress,” Sen. John Boozman exclusively tells Ask a Pol Crypto. “This is one of those things that everybody wants to protect the consumer. They’d like to make it such that the industry’s regulated.”

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Caught our ear:

“Everybody wants to protect the consumer, but we want to ensure that the industry has a chance to continue to grow, continue to be creative. If not, then they’ll go offshore,” Boozman tells us. “Then you have no regulation.”

“It’s important that we get something out of the Ag[riculture] Committee, which a lot of what the Senate Banking [Committee] is going to do depends on what we do,” Boozman tells us. “So they’re waiting for us to act.”

Let alone the Senate Finance Committee when it comes to taxes.

“Exactly,” Boozman says.

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. John Boozman (11-6-2025)

SCENE: Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman’s entering the US Capitol ahead of a vote in the Senate when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo briefly catches him for this update on crypto reform efforts, including the call he and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) had this week with White House AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks.

Matt Laslo: “How was your crypto call with Sacks yesterday?”

John Boozman: “It was good.”

ML: “Any update or...”

JB: “No, we just talked in general, and it’s been a pleasure working with Cory [Booker] and...”

ML: “I was intrigued to see him on there…”

JB: “…we’re making progress.”

ML: “…because he’s so progressive. I was like, ‘oh, that’s interesting,’ but it was just…?”

JB: “Well, this is one of those things that everybody wants to protect the consumer. They’d like to make it such that the industry’s regulated.”

ML: “Yeah?”

JB: “But we want to ensure that the industry has a chance to continue to grow, continue to be creative. If not, they will go offshore.”

ML: “Yeah.”

JB: “Which would not be a good situation where then you have no regulation.”

ML: “Yeah? A couple of weeks ago there was, like, ‘oh, maybe it was falling apart,’ [Sen. Ruben] Gallego was mad — it seems like that period is over? There’s more of a Kumbaya [feeling] now?”

One of Boozman’s Senate colleagues walks past as they enter the Capitol, so Laslo slides out of their way.

ML: “How are you?”

JB: “We’re not there yet, but we’re we’re moving in the right direction.”

ML: “Wait, you said that in a very Senatorial way — you’re not quite there yet?”

JB: “Well, you know, it’s it’s, uh, I think it’s important that we get something out of the Ag Committee.”

ML: “Yeah?”

JB: “Which a lot of what the Senate Banking [Committee] is going to do depends on what we do.”

ML: “Right?”

JB: “So they’re waiting for us to act.”

ML: “Let alone Finance [Committee] when it comes to taxes.”

JB: “Exactly.”

ML: “Yep, yep.”

JB: “Exactly.”

ML: “Thank you, sir.”

Who?

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) — Original sponsor, GENIUS Act

LISTEN: Laslo & Gillibrand

Ask a Pol asks:

Any update on crypto reform — still in limbo?

Key Gillibrand:

“We’re still working on a bipartisan basis,” Gillibrand exclusively tells Ask a Pol.

That’s not what I’ve been reading.

“No. It’s absolutely true,” Gillibrand says. “No, no, that was last week. This week we’re back on track.”

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Caught our ear:

“The staff has been working on a bipartisan basis all week,” Gillibrand tells us. “And I’ve been talking to our Republican counterparts about getting a meeting on the books for next week.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Kirsten Gillibrand (10-29-2025)

SCENE: Ahead of a Senate vote, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and an aide are making their way to the US Capitol via an underground tunnel when Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo catches them for a quick crypto update…

Matt Laslo: “How are you, ma’am?”

Kirsten Gillibrand: “Hi.”

ML: “Do you have any update on crypto? Is it still in limbo?”

KG: “We’re still working on a bipartisan basis.”

ML: “That’s not what I’ve been reading.”

KG: “No. It’s absolutely true.”

Gillibrand aide: “Really?”

KG: “No. Why? Who says that?”

ML: “I thought things were falling apart for a little bit?”

KG: “No, no, that was last week. This week we’re back on track.”

ML: “Everything’s good now?”

KG: “Yeah, yeah.”

Aide: “It’s always dark before the dawn.”

KG: “The staff has been working on a bipartisan basis all week, and I’ve been talking to our Republican counterparts about getting a meeting on the books for next week.”

ML: “Oh, yeah?”

KG: “I’m optimistic. We’re gonna keep…”

ML: “And this — so timeline’s back on for…?”

KG: “There’s no timeline, but there’s really a lot of goodwill.”

ML: “Yeah?”

Aide: “Priority’s getting it right.”

Senator’s Only elevator arrives.

KG: “Yeah.”

ML: “Awesome.”

They enter elevator.

ML: “Thank y’all.”

Refer a friend

Who?

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) — Chair, Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee

LISTEN: Laslo & Scott

Ask a Pol asks:

Are we hearing that crypto reform is now on life support?

Key Scott: 

“No,” Banking Chair Tim Scott exclusively told Ask a Pol.* “Not at all.”

*Chair Scott has a rule that he doesn’t do impromptu hallway interviews in the Capitol — a self-imposed rule veteran congressional reporter Matt Laslo bypasses by merely talking to Scott on a human level.

NEW: Find Ask a Pol on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram!

Caught our ear:

“Alright, alright,” Scott told us.

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Tim Scott (10-23-2025)

SCENE: Sen. Tim Scott’s walking through the Capitol’s dingy basement as he makes his way to the Senate floor.

Matt Laslo: “Hey, am I hearing — am I hearing that crypto’s on the ropes?”

Scott’s aide cuts in and passes Laslo her business card.

Scott aide: “Here, if you have any questions give me a call.”

Laslo takes her card while passing her a card but never loses eye contact with Scott.

ML: “You think it’s on life support?”

Tim Scott: “Not at all.”

ML: “‘Not at all’?”

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They’re at a distance so Laslo repeats back what the senator says to make sure he heard correctly, which the Senator confirms with a head nod.

ML: “I’ll be watching, sir.”

TS: “Alright, alright.”

ML: “Preciate ya.”

Laslo repeats what Scott said into his mic.

ML: “‘Alright, alright.’”

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Who?

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) — Member, Senate Commerce and Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committees

LISTEN: Laslo & Lummis

Ask a Pol asks:

With the House of Representative out as the government shutdown lingers, do you worry the stalemate is going to take away some of the bipartisan momentum on crypto in the 119th Congress?

Key Lummis:

“We’re still talking among ourselves — meaning the Democrats’ working group and the Republicans’ — to try to get a date for a markup,” Lummis exclusively tells Ask a Pol Crypto.

“If we don’t have significant moves forward by the end of next week, I’ll be very unhappy. I think we’ve only got another week to do this delicate dance we’re doing, and then we’ve got to have a markup date and we’ve got to start.”

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In Congressional time, the winter holidays are here

“Yeah. Well, that’s the problem,” Lummis says. “After November 1st there’s only seven more weeks and you know how hard it is to trap time on the calendar.”

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ICYMI — find Ask a Pol on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram!

Caught our ear:

“I would say that the frustration level among Republicans is starting to grow,” Lummis tells us.

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Cynthia Lummis (10-16-2025)

SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo hops an underground Senate tram with Sen. Cynthia Lummis as she rides back to her office across the street after voting.

Matt Laslo: “Do you worry with the House out and the shutdown lingering that it’s going to take away some of the momentum on crypto?”

Cynthia Lummis: “Well, we’re still talking among ourselves…”

Tram warning: “Doors are closing.”

CL: “…meaning the Democrats’ working group and the Republicans’ — to try to get a date for a markup.”

Tram starts rolling down the tracks…

ML: “Yeah.”

CL: “What we want is to get some…”

ML: “I guess [Sen. Ruben] Gallego and them were complaining that they haven’t seen the bill yet?”

CL: “Oh yeah, they’ve seen it.”

ML: “Yeah? You’re not buying that?”

CL: “No, no, no — that’s bogus.”

ML: “Crocodile tears?”

CL: “Yeah.”

ML: “In this place, ma’am? So people can see what they hear. So you’re not worried? You think it’s good bipartisan momentum there still?”

CL: “If we don’t have significant moves forward by the end of next week, I’ll be very unhappy.”

ML: “Oh, interesting. Yeah?”

CL: “Yeah. I think we’ve only got another week to do this delicate dance we’re doing, and then we’ve got to have a markup date and we’ve got to start.”

ML: “Congressional time, the holidays are here.”

CL: “Yeah. Well, that’s the problem. After November 1st there’s only seven more weeks and you know how hard it is to trap time on the calendar.”

ML: “Right?”

CL: “So that’s what worries me.”

ML: “Yeah?"

CL: “And so, yeah, I would say that the frustration level among Republicans is starting to grow.”

ML: “Yeah?”

CL: “Yeah.”

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What should we ask lawmakers this week? Let us know!

Who?

Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) — Chair, Senate Finance Committee

LISTEN: Laslo & Crapo

Ask a Pol asks:

Do you think the effort to update the tax code for digital currencies will be combined with the crypto market structure measure winding its way through Congress?

Key Crapo:

“That’s a really good question. You know, because market structure is the Banking Committee,” Sen. Mike Crapo exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “First of all, they’re separate tracks right now.

“And I guess it just depends on if everything’s ready for each of them at the same time. They could be merged, but I’m not telling you that’s part of the plan.”

It seems like the definition of commodity really becomes key to the taxing side?

“Yeah,” Crapo says. “It does.”

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Caught our ear:

“The first top line takeaway is that America really needs to set up the rules of the road, so that we make America the dominant economy in this zone,” Crapo tells us in wake of last week’s Senate Finance Committee hearing on the tax code for digital currencies.

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Mike Crapo (10-7-2025)

SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo had just run into Senate Finance Chair Mike Crapo on the first floor of the Capitol and they just traded brief pleasantries.

Matt Laslo: “I was giving you space downstairs.”

Mike Crapo: “That’s alright.”

ML: “You chaired that hearing on crypto last week on taxation?”

ICYMI — Our reporting on last week’s hearing

MC: “Yeah.”

ML: “What do you — what was your takeaway from that?”

MC: “Well, the first top line takeaway is that America really needs to set up the rules of the road, so that we make America the dominant economy in this zone.”

ML: “Yeah?”

MC: “And secondly, there were discussions of lots of different possible issues that need to be dealt with.”

ML: “Yeah?”

MC: “You know, like when is a transaction going to generate revenue — for taxable revenue, and how we define all of that? And a number of other issues like that. So I mean the key takeaway is, the questions that need to be answered were identified there.”

ML: “Do you think that gets tied into market structure or a...?’

MC: “That’s a really good question. You know, because market structure is the Banking Committee.”

ML: “Yeah.”

MC: “Right now, in my own mind — well, first of all, they’re separate tracks right now.”

ML: “Yeah?”

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MC: “And I guess it just depends on if everything’s ready for each of them at the same time. They could be merged, but I’m not telling you that’s part of the plan.”

ML: “Yeah? Well, because it seems like the definition of commodity really becomes key to the taxing side.”

MC: “Yeah. It does.”

ML: “Yeah?”

MC: “You know, and they made that point in the hearing too.”

ML: “Yeah? See I’m not smart, I just listen.’

They laugh.

ML: “Thank you, sir.”

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What should we ask your US Senator next? Let us know!

Who?

Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) — Finance & Banking Committees

LISTEN: Laslo & Daines

Ask a Pol asks:

Where are you on taxing digital assets?

Key Daines:

“The most important principle will be removing the current uncertainty,” Sen. Steve Daines exclusively tells Ask a Pol Crypto.

Caught our ear:

The taxation part feels tied to market structure, because they need a definition of which digital assets are commodities, right?

“You can’t disconnect those two,” Daines tells us.

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Steve Daines (10-1-2025)

SCENE: Sen. Steve Daines is rushing through the first floor of the US Capitol on his way to vote on the Senate floor on the second floor when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo joins him and proceeds to accompany him up a flight of stairs.

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Matt Laslo: “Hey Senator!”

Steve Daines: “Hey.”

ML: “I was curious your thoughts on the idea…”

Daines breezes past a bank of elevators and motions to a stairwell around the corner.

SD: “Mind taking steps with me?”

ML: “Yeah.”

ML: “But the notion of setting up a new tax bracket for digital assets…”

SD: “Yeah.”

ML: “Where are you?”

SD: “Well, it’s — the most important principle will be removing the current uncertainty…”

ML: “Ahuh?”

SD: “…which we talked about in hearing today. So stay tuned in terms of what we’re going to be looking at in terms of taking the lead on the crypto tax part, which of course the Banking [Committee] has got and Senator [Cynthia] Lummis is doing her work, and we just want to compliment that on the final tax bill.”

ICYMI — Senate Finance Committee hearing 10-1-2025*

*source: Senate Finance Committee via CoinDesk (via YouTube)

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ML: “That’s where it kind of feels tied to market structure, because they need the definition of commodity?”

SD: “They’ll be — they definitely, you can’t disconnect those two.”

ML: “Yeah? Right?”

SD: “Okay.”

Daines heads to entrance of Senate floor.

ML: “Preciate it. Thank you.”

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Who?

Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX)

LISTEN: Laslo & Nehls

Ask a Pol asks:

What do you think of all the dust up over the Trump family digital coins?

Key Nehls:

“I really don’t have an opinion on it,” Rep. Troy Nehls tells Ask a Pol. “I just don’t.”

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ICYMI — Dems growing list of digital demands…

Caught our ear:

Some people say President Donald Trump and his family are corrupt and making hundreds of thousands of dollars — billions, really — off crypto…

“Oh whatever,” Nehls tells us. “Whatever. Sure.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Troy Nehls (9-4-2025)

SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches Rep. Troy Nehls as the congressman’s waking his way to the US Capitol.

Matt Laslo: “What do you think of all the dust up over the Trump coins? The digital coins?”

Troy Nehls: “I really don’t have an opinion on it.”

ML: “Yeah?”

TN: “I just don’t.”

ML: “Yeah? It shouldn’t be headlines?”

TN: “Yeah.”

ML: “Yeah? Because some people say they’re corrupt and they’re making hundreds of thousands of dollars — billions off it.”

TN: “Oh whatever. Whatever. Sure.”

ML: “Thank you.”

Who?

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) — Sponsor, the GENIUS Act

LISTEN: Laslo & Hagerty

Ask a Pol asks:

With a government shutdown looming, Democrats up in arms over Trump family meme coins and with the assassination of Charlie Kirk weighing on many, there aren’t any real talks on crypto market structure yet, right?

Key Hagerty: 

“There certainly are talks going on,” Sen. Bill Hagerty exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “But I think the Democrat side is asking for more time.”

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Caught our ear:

“We've got a lot on the agenda right now, so I certainly want to see it move as quickly as possible,” Hagerty tells us.

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Bill Hagerty (9-15-2025)

SCENE: Sen. Bill Hagerty and an aide are walking through the US Capitol when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo snags a quick update on the senator’s digital currency efforts in this 119th Congress…

Matt Laslo: “I think I know the answer, but we haven't — no real talks on crypto market structure yet?”

Bill Hagerty: “You know, it's, um — there certainly are talks going on.”

ML: "Ahuh?”

BH: “But I think the Democrat side is asking for more time.”

ML: “Yeah?”

What should we ask US Senators this week? Let us know!

BH: “And we've got a lot on the agenda right now, so…”

Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) rushes past to make the vote that was open on the Senate floor.

BH: “…so I certainly want to see it move as quickly as possible.”

ML: "Yeah? So nothing negative to report?”

Hagerty shakes head no.

ML: "Thank you, sir.”

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Who?

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) — Ranking Member, Senate Finance Committee

LISTEN: Laslo & Wyden

Ask a Pol asks:

What do you make of President Donald Trump and his family’s new digital coins — do they imperil broader crypto consensus?

Key Wyden:

“It sure as hell does!” Sen. Ron Wyden exclusively tells Ask a Pol.

Caught our ear:

“This is all now being tainted by what really looks like a process that is designed to help one family,” Wyden says.

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ICYMI — Ask a Pol also has view from the other side…

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Ron Wyden (9-4-2025)

SCENE: Sen. Ron Wyden’s walking through the basement of the US Capitol when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo asks him for a crypto update before the rest of the congressional press corps pounces… .

Matt Laslo: “Senator Wyden?”

Ron Wyden: “Yeah?”

ML: “What do you make of the Trump family digital coins? Does that imperil broader consensus on the issue?”

RW: “It sure as hell does! I've always been interested in crypto. As you know, the first big bill — my bipartisan infrastructure bill — I was the one who said, ‘you’re not going to go after the coders.’”

Laslo nods.

RW: “You know, this is all now being tainted by what really looks like a process that, umm, is designed to help one family.”

ML: “Yeah? Do you think…”

Wyden starts walking towards a bank of elevators — along with other members of the press corps — in the Capitol basement.

ML: “Does that make it harder to negotiate? Like, does that make it a non-starter for you and others? Or is that getting easier?”

Wyden turns to other reporters and their unnuanced questions…

RW: “What’s up?”

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Who?

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) — Ranking Member, House Financial Services Committee

LISTEN: Laslo & Waters

Ask a Pol asks:

What’d you make of those three crypto measures — GENIUS Act, Anti-CBDC and CLARITY Act — passing out of the House of Representatives in July?

Key Waters: 

“There were too many crypto bills — three — and they had the votes,” Rep. Maxine Waters exclusively told Ask a Pol. “The crypto industry has done extraordinarily well with targeting members and getting the support that they need for their bills.

“Unfortunately, I needed to have more guardrails on the bills and more education to the members so that they could understand what crypto is all about. We did the best job that we could do. Unfortunately, between the industry and President Trump, there was a lot of support which influenced members to vote for the bill.”

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Caught our ear:

“The president is in crypto. Melania is in crypto. His boys, his sons are in crypto. They're there to make money, and so far we see that they are doing that,” Waters tells us.

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TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Maxine Waters (7-23-2025)

SCENE: Ahead of one of the last votes in the US House until this fall, Finance Committee Ranking Member Maxine Waters was making her way to the Capitol via an underground tunnel when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo proceeded to join her.

Matt Laslo: “Hey, how are you, ma'am?”

Maxine Waters: “Well.”

ML: “I haven’t talked to you since last week — what’d you make of those three crypto measures moving?”

ICYMI —

MW: “I'm sorry. Who am I talking to?”

ML: “Matt Laslo, WIRED magazine contributor.”

MW: “I can't hear you.”

ML: “Matt Laslo, WIRED magazine contributor, Raw Story, Rolling Stone…”

MW: “I see. Now, there were too many crypto bills — three — and they had the votes. The crypto industry has done extraordinarily well with targeting members and getting the support that they need for their bills. Unfortunately, I needed to have more guardrails on the bills and more education to the members so that they could understand what crypto is all about. We did the best job that we could do. Unfortunately, between the industry and President Trump, there was a lot of support which influenced members to vote for the bill.”

ML: “Is the president's meme coins? Is that issue not going to go away?”

MW: “Oh, the president is in crypto. Melania is in crypto. His boys, his sons are in crypto. They're there to make money, and so far we see that they are doing that. When I take a look at Abu Dhabi who put $2 billion into Trump's coin, stablecoin so that he could finance it with Binance and the interest that he'll get off of that that's indicative of more involvement from foreign countries without regulations to deal with it.”

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ML: “If you guys take over the House, is this going to be a big issue you'll push?”

The congresswoman’s elevator arrives.

MW: “I beg your pardon?”

ML: “If you guys take over the House next year, is this going to be a big issue you push reining in the president and their family?”

MW: “Well, we'll see, we'll see. We shall see.”

ML: “Yep.”

MW: “Alright.”

ML: “Thank you ma'am.”

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Who?

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) — Sponsor, the GENIUS Act

LISTEN: Laslo & Hagerty

Ask a Pol asks:

Do you think the Senate will combine some of the House-passed crypto bills — CLARITY Act and Anti-CBDC — into one measure?

Key Hagerty: 

“I don’t want to predict how it’s going to come together, because we just put out a large RFI,” Sen. Bill Hagerty exclusively told Ask a Pol. “So Im expecting a great deal of information to come in. But I think the work that was done on the CLARITY Act has been exceptional in the House, and that framework is basically serving as a guidepost for me. So again, I’m not going to try to predict whether we combine those things.”

Caught our ear:

“My goal will be getting it done by the end of September,” Hagerty tells us.

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Bill Hagerty (7-29-2025)

SCENE: Earlier in the day, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo saw Sen. Bill Hagerty posing for photos with homestate visitors and gave them space but told the senator he was looking for him.

What should we ask US Senators this week? Let us know!

Ahead of a Senate vote, Hagerty and an aide are walking through the basement of the US Capitol.

Matt Laslo: “Hey how are you sir?”

Bill Hagerty: “Sorry I missed you earlier.”

ML: "You’ve got a — constituents are more important than the damn press corps. Umm — crypto. What do you see — do you think we’re gonna see each one of those bills stay separate over here?”

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BH: “So are you talking about the…?”

ML: "Or do you think we might see them come together? Crypto — CLARITY Act and some of the others, the...”

BH: “You know, I don’t want to predict how it’s going to come together, because we just put out a large RFI.”

ML: "Yeah.”

BH: “So Im expecting a great deal of information to come in. But I think the work that was done on the CLARITY Act has been exceptional in the House, and that framework and that framework is basically serving as a guidepost for me. So again, I’m not going to try to predict whether we combine those things.”

Hagerty and his aide enter a Senators Only elevator.

ML: "Mind if I come up?”

BH: “Yeah.”

Laslo enters elevator.

ML: "Do you think we'll see this maybe September? Like, it seems like they're…”

BH: “The goal would be — my goal will be getting it done by the end of September.”

ML: "Yeah? Because it still feels like there's momentum?”

BH: “Yeah, there's definitely momentum, and I think that was the goal: pass GENIUS, build the momentum. I think the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive in the marketplace, but I think it's also making clear — no pun intended — that the CLARITY Act is the perfect follow-up to it.”

ML: "Yeah?”

Hagerty’s aide whispers to the senator before heading to the Senate floor to vote.

BH: “Thank you.”

ML: "Thanks, sir.”

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Who?

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) — Co-author, Epstein discharge petition in US House

LISTEN: Laslo & Khanna

Ask a Pol asks:

We know your constituents in Silicon Valley are divided, but where do you land in the debate over digital currencies?

Key Khanna: 

“I support a smart regulatory framework,” Rep. Ro Khanna exclusively tells Ask a Pol.

Some Silicon Valley folks are pretty dubious?

“Yeah,” Khanna says. “It’s split.”

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ICYMI — Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo’s feature on Epstein politics

Caught our ear:

“He’s got the hubris of a second-term president on steroids,” Khanna tells us of President Donald Trump.

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TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Ro Khanna (7-17-2025)

SCENE: A week before House Speaker Mike Johnson kicked off his chamber’s annual August recess early to avoid a vote on Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie’s (R-KY) discharge petition — which would force a vote on whether to release the Epstein files or not — Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches Khanna just off the House floor.

They start chatting crypto, which evolves into a conversation about uncomfortable — and unsettling — Epstein politics which almost derailed the bipartisan crypto and stablecoin measures that the House passed before leaving Washington until the fall.

Matt Laslo: “How are you?”

Ro Khanna: “Good.”

ML: “What are you — you’re not big into crypto and digital currencies are you?”

RK: “I mean I…”

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ML: “Have you weighed into it?”

RK: “I’m not into the — I mean I voted for these but…”

ML: “Yeah?”

RK: “...I’m not — I’m not a huge thing. I support a smart regulatory framework. I voted for some of the amendments that have been in order.”

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ML: “Because you have constituents — I guess the crypto folks are spread all over? Some Silicon Valley folks are dubious, right?”

RK: “Huh?”

ML: “Some Silicon Valley folks are pretty dubious?”

RK: “Yeah. It’s split.”

ML: “Yeah, right?”

RK: “It’s split.”

Khanna and Laslo are talking after far-right Freedom Caucus members derailed a couple procedural votes on digital currencies earlier in the week.

ML: “Do you think this is good to get through this long jam? Or was it fun watching Republicans grind this place to a close again?”

RK: “I think a lot of it is on the Epstein stuff. They don’t want the discharge — Massie and my discharge petition…”

ML: “Yeah. Oh really?”

RK: “…coming up, because if — that's why they're thinking of adjourning. Otherwise, seven days — if you're in seven days, they'll be forced to vote on it.”

ML: “What are you make of this — I was just re-watching and re-watching Trump last night, like, you really called them ‘stupid people’ — like the people who listened to you?”

RK: “I think he’s got the hubris of a second-term president on steroids.”

ML: “Have you — do you think there might be a backlash that some of these more MAGA Republicans might sign onto your bill [petition] because of that?”

RK: “Massie has been doing great. I mean, he’s been getting a lot of…”

ML: “Yeah?”

RK: “…lot of Republicans. We’ve had eight of them sign on, so…”

ML: “What do you think that change shows. Is that just…?”

RK: “Well I think the Epstein issue is a real issue…”

ML: “Yeah/”

RK: “...in this space. They don’t want rich, powerful people protected.”

ML: “But that’s where Trump’s now out of line with...”

RK: “Yeah — it's the first time he's facing an internal rebellion on his own base.”

ML: “Do you think you’ll…?”

Khanna motions that he needs to go back on the House floor to vote.

RK: “I’ve gotta…”

ML: “Do you think you’ll hit the discharge pre-August?”

RK: “Yeah. We already have. We already have eight Republicans, and we’ll get every Democrat.”

ML: “When are you going to try and bring it to the floor?”

RK: “As soon as it ripens — seven days.”

ML: “So next week before you guys leave?”

RK: “Seven legislative days, so we have to see if we can get there before the recess.”

ML: “Are they going to try to bury it in committee again?”

RK: “I think what they're going to try to do is run out the clock to have recess.”

ML: “But you guys are gonna fight it?”

RK: “Yes.”

ML: “I’ll be watching. ‘Preciate ya!”

Spencer Newman contributed to this report.

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Who?

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) — Member, Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs

LISTEN: Laslo & Lummis

Ask a Pol asks:

So how does the US Senate move ahead now that the House passed its three crypto measures? The GENIUS Act has been signed into law by President Donald Trump, but do you think combining the other two measures — CLARITY and Anti-CBDC — might work or do them each as standalone measures?

Key Lummis: 

“We're going to do a lot of work comparing CLARITY, which is their market structure bill to our market structure bill, and also to pair up Democrats and Republicans on certain components of our bill to work on some of the details that will prevent us from having to go through to cloture votes,” Sen. Cynthia Lummis exclusively tells Ask a Pol.

“Just to make sure that when we go to the floor with our market structure bill, that it's fairly similar to CLARITY, and something that the House can hopefully agree to. Plus it has bipartisan support over here. The good news about digital asset legislation is it’s been very bipartisan for years.”

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Caught our ear:

Is there like no chance the Senate swallows the House-passed CLARITY Act whole without making any changes or tweaks?

“That that remains to be seen,” Lummis says.

It’s still early?

“Yeah.”

People have to look at it?

“Exactly, right. Yeah,” Lummis tells us, “but I was delighted with the depth of the bipartisan vote in the House on their CLARITY bill. So I think that that gives their bill momentum.”

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Cynthia Lummis (7-22-2025)

SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo is walking in the basement of the US Capitol when he hears Sen. Cynthia Lummis’ voice behind him as she exits an elevator.

Matt Laslo: “I heard your voice.”

Cynthia Lummis: “How are you?”

ML: “Livin the dream. So how do you guys move ahead now that the House passed its three crypto measures? I know GENIUS [Act] has been signed, but do you think combining the other two might work or do them as standalone?”

CL: “Well, great question, we're gonna — so we have a draft out today.”

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ICYMI — Senate Market Structure Discussion Draft

ML: “Yeah.”

CL: “And so we're going to do a lot of work comparing CLARITY, which is their market structure bill to our market structure bill, and also to pair up Democrats and Republicans on certain components of our bill to work on some of the details that will prevent us from having to go through to cloture votes.”

An underground Senate tram passes them.

ML: “Mhm.”

CL: “Just to make sure that when we go to the floor with our market structure bill, that it's fairly similar to CLARITY…”

ML: “Mhm.”

CL: “...and something that the House can hopefully agree to. Plus it has bipartisan support over here. The good news about digital asset legislation…”

ML: “Mhm?”

CL: “...is it’s been very bipartisan for years.”

ML: “Yeah.”

CL: “So it doesn't have the challenges that say coming up with a bipartisan appropriations package does. So that's the plan, I hope that we can bring this to the floor by September…”

ML: “Mhm?”

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CL: “...and get it through. The challenge will be the Anti-CBDC…”

ML: “Yeah?”

CL: “...and that's something I support. We'll have to gauge the temperature of the caucus…”

ML: “Uh-huh?”

CL: “...on that, and also the Democrats on that. I think it’s a wise thing. We actually prevented a direct-to-retail CBDC in the GENIUS Act.”

ML: “Uh-huh.”

CL: “But some people worry about a wholesale CBDC, meaning a CBDC that allows banks to use a central bank digital currency when they are transacting only with each other.”

ML: “Yeah.”

CL: “I think — I don’t think they need a CBDC, they already transact digitally with each other.”

ML: “Mhm.” 

CL: “So, we'll just have to gauge that. We'll have to see if we can do that.”

ML: “And do you think CLARITY — do you think there's like no chance the Senate swallows their CLARITY whole without making any changes or tweaks?”

CL: “I think that that remains to be seen.”

ML: “Mhm.”

CL: “Yeah, so…”

ML: “It’s still early?”

CL: “Yeah it’s still…”

ML: “People have to look at it?”

CL: “Exactly, right. Yeah, so — but I was delighted with the depth of the bipartisan vote…”

ML: “Mhm.”

CL: “...in the House on their CLARITY bill. So, I think that that gives their bill momentum.”

ML: “Yeah? Yeah, so it feels — things are feeling good for the Crypto Caucus and the ‘crypto Congress’?”

CL: “I think so. I’m very optimistic.”

ML: “Yeah?” 

CL: “And I think it behooves us in the Senate to recognize that the House passed a market structure bill that's tremendously better than FIT 21 was.”

ML: “Yeah?”

CL: “And that we should take it very, very seriously when we're evaluating against our draft.”

ML: “There you go. That’s all I got for you.”

CL: “Thank you.”

ML: “Appreciate you ma’am”

Spencer Newman contributed to this report.

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Who?

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) — Chair, Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs

LISTEN: Laslo & Scott

Ask a Pol asks:

See that crypto drama over in the House yesterday?

Key Scott: 

“Is that right? What happened?,” Sen. Tim Scott exclusively told Ask a Pol. “Tell me about it.”

The ‘rule’* went down — you didn't hear about that?

“I did,” Scott said. “I figured you know more than I know, so I was gonna get the real stuff from you.”

Are you feeling good now that Trump got involved?

“It looked like it worked out last night,” Scott said. “Didn't it?”

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*Mini-explainer: What’s a House “rule”?

The Speaker controls the House of Representatives through maintaining a seemingly all-seeing, iron grip on the Rules Committee, which is (mostly) stacked with the Speaker’s faithful lieutenants.

Before any bill can come before the full House, the Rules Committee sets up parameters of floor debate, ie how much time each party has to debate, how many amendments are allowed to be offered, which amendments will be voted on, etc.

With 435 House members, imagine if each member offered an amendment at once…

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Caught our ear:

“I figured you know more than I know, so I was gonna get the real stuff from you,” Scott told us.*

*We’re weak…even empty senatorial flattery makes us smile.

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TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Tim Scott (7-16-2025)

SCENE: Sen. Tim Scott’s walking through the Capitol’s dingy basement as he makes his way to the Senate floor.

The Banking Committee Chair bumps into Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo who just left the House of Representatives after the far right wing of the GOP protested — one of numerous protests throughout the week by Freedom Caucus members and their allies that ground the chamber to a halt — and threatened to derail party leader’s fabled #CryptoWeek.

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Matt Laslo: “There was some drama over in the House yesterday.”

Tim Scott: “Is that right? What happened?”

ML: “The crypto thing?”

TS: “No, tell me about it.”

ML: “The ‘rule’* went down.”

TS: “Man.”

ML: “You didn't hear about that?”

TS: “I did.”

ML: “What are you…?”

TS: “I figured you know more than I know, so I was gonna get the real stuff from you.”

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ML: “Are you feeling good now that Trump got involved?”

TS: “It looked like it worked out last night, didn't it?”

ML: “Yeah. We will see.”

TS: “Yes, sir.”

ML: “Who knows with this place.”

TS: “They just passed something. They just passed the...”

ML: “The rule?”

TS: “Yeah. Now they’re going for the next procedural vote.”

Scott’s elevator arrives.

ML: “I'm cheating on them because I came over to be with you all.”

Laslo laughs.

TS: “Alright, man.”

ML: “Have a good one, sir.”

Scott enters elevator, as Laslo keeps traversing the marble halls looking for more lawmakers to interview…

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