Refusal to allow amendment upholding Trump’s CBDC executive order reveals missed opportunity to challenge GOP unity
Democrats Reject CBDC Ban in GENIUS Act Debate
House Democrats this week declined to include a Republican-led amendment to ban a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) as part of the GENIUS Act — a bill aimed at creating a regulatory framework for stablecoins. The amendment was blocked during the procedural rule vote, preventing any changes from reaching the floor.
Trump’s Executive Order Prohibits CBDCs
On January 23, 2025, former President Donald Trump signed the executive order titled “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology,” which prohibits all federal agencies from initiating or supporting any CBDC-related activity. The order mandates immediate termination of any ongoing government work on a digital dollar.
Marjorie Taylor Greene Calls Out Legislative Inaction
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene voted against the GENIUS Act rule, stating, “It does not include a ban on Central Bank Digital Currency, and Speaker Johnson did not allow us to submit amendments.” Her remarks underscore growing GOP efforts to formalize Trump’s CBDC ban through legislation.
Democrats Miss Strategic Opening to Challenge Trump
Analysts argue that by blocking the CBDC ban, Democrats lost a valuable opportunity to force Trump’s allies to either support his executive action in law or distance themselves from it. Such a vote could have exposed fractures within the Republican Party over digital currency policy — or held Trump accountable for his administration’s direction on financial surveillance.
Crypto Policy Remains a Political Flashpoint
As the 2025 crypto legislative cycle intensifies, the debate over CBDCs continues to polarize lawmakers. The decision to block the amendment signals that digital dollar legislation will remain a core battleground in the broader fight over privacy, innovation, and executive authority.
