Does Jeff Merkley Support Crypto?

Senator Jeff Merkley

@SenJeffMerkley

Republicans forced passage of the GENIUS Act—giving Trump’s crypto corruption a Congressional seal of approval. Passing this bill without powerful anti-corruption amendments sets a terrible precedent. Infuriating and a complete failure to defend the integrity of our national government.

2025-06-18T01:00:05.000Z

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Took stances on a bill between 2025-05-20T00:00:00.000Z and 2025-06-17T00:00:00.000Z

Bill Name

GENIUS Act

Details

The GENIUS Act of 2025 proposes a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins. It defines permitted issuers (insured depository institutions, their subsidiaries, and approved nonbank entities) and mandates 1:1 reserve backing with specific high-quality assets. The bill outlines federal and state regulatory oversight options, sets requirements for customer asset segregation, and grants stablecoin holders priority in insolvency proceedings. It also clarifies that regulated payment stablecoins are not considered securities or commodities under various acts. The bill designates issuers as financial institutions under the Bank Secrecy Act, requiring compliance with AML, KYC, and sanctions regulations to prevent illicit finance and safeguard national security. It also reinforces U.S. leadership in digital finance by supporting innovation and ensuring the dollar remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global financial landscape.

Timeline

2025-05-20

Very Anti-Crypto

Voted against - Because of the way Senate rules work, GENIUS could not have gotten to a final vote without members voting in favor.

2025-06-12

Very Anti-Crypto

Voted against - Because of the way Senate rules work, GENIUS could not have gotten to a final vote without members voting in favor.

2025-06-17

Very Anti-Crypto

Voted against - Final Passage Out Of Senate

Senator Jeff Merkley

@SenJeffMerkley

Passing the GENIUS Act as-is would put a Congressional rubber stamp on Trump's blatant crypto corruption. We need to vote on my amendment to ban elected officials from selling influence and enriching themselves with crypto schemes!!

2025-06-12T15:38:31.000Z

Jeff Merkley reposted the post below

Richard Blumenthal

@SenBlumenthal

The Trump family & Big Tech are eager to enrich themselves & consolidate financial power through crypto ventures & stablecoins. My colleagues & I have sensible amendments to the GENIUS Act to avert these risks. Senate Rs should let us vote on these fixes, not jam the bill through

2025-06-11T18:15:08.000Z

Senator Jeff Merkley

@SenJeffMerkley

Republicans want to ram through the fatally flawed GENIUS Act without amendments—and put a stamp of approval on Trump’s blatant crypto corruption. The majority party should honor the promise they made when bill was moved to floor to have an open amdmt process so that we can debate and vote on important amdmts. The American people deserve no less.

2025-06-11T18:37:37.000Z

Jeff Merkley

@JeffMerkley

While Trump cozied up to foreign billionaire investors in his memecoin grift at a pricey dinner at his Virginia golf course, I rallied outside with @OurRevolution and @Public_Citizen to protest his crypto con.

2025-05-24T00:08:07.000Z

Senator Jeff Merkley

@SenJeffMerkley

I was outside Trump’s Crypto Corruption Club to send a clear message: elected officials can’t be allowed to engage in crypto schemes! We need to pass my End Crypto Corruption Act!

2025-05-23T16:32:08.000Z

Senator Jeff Merkley

@SenJeffMerkley

Access to the White House shouldn’t be up for sale to the highest bidder!! This kind of blatant corruption takes a sledgehammer to public trust—we need to add my End Crypto Corruption Act to the GENIUS Act NOW! wired.com/story/trumps-q…

2025-05-09T16:36:59.000Z

Senator Jeff Merkley

@SenJeffMerkley

Trump shouldn’t be allowed to engage in a crypto scheme to sell influence and enrich himself—that’s corruption on full display. We need to add the End Crypto Corruption Act to the GENUIS Act to stop this behavior from Trump and other elected officials! merkley.senate.gov/merkley-and-sc…

2025-05-06T20:39:47.000Z

Voted against a bill on 2025-03-04

Bill Name

S.J. Res 3

Details

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Gross Proceeds Reporting by Brokers That Regularly Provide Services Effectuating Digital Asset Sales".

Vote Type

Final Passage Out Of Senate

Somewhat Anti-Crypto

Jeff Merkley

@JeffMerkley

Tim Walz doesn’t own any stocks or bonds. JD Vance holds millions in industries that lobby Congress, including bitcoin, health care, and fossil fuels. The contrast couldn’t be clearer. Tim Walz will be a Vice President who delivers for the people.

2024-09-06T21:09:52.000Z

Voted against a bill on 2024-05-16

Bill Name

SAB 121 House Joint Resolution

Details

For congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to "Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121". This staff accounting bulletin expresses the views of the staff regarding the accounting for obligations to safeguard crypto-assets an entity holds for platform users.

Vote Type

Final Passage Out Of Senate

Senator Jeff Merkley

@SenJeffMerkley

The energy it takes to mine crypto rivals the energy usage of entire countries. I joined Senate colleagues in calling on @EPA and @ENERGY to investigate the environmental impacts of cryptomining and require cryptominers to report emissions and energy use. nytimes.com/2022/07/15/cli…

2022-07-22T18:07:44.000Z

Jeff Merkley reposted the post below

Elizabeth Warren

@SenWarren

Bitcoin mining's energy use has more than tripled since 2019, consuming as much energy as entire countries. It's even driving up electricity costs and harming local environments. I want six cryptomining companies to provide answers on their impact. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

2022-01-28T22:03:03.000Z