Urgent: Bryan Steil Warns Non-Germane Items Jeopardize Crucial Crypto Bills
The path to clear US crypto regulation faces hurdles, and one key lawmaker is calling for a change in approach. US Representative Bryan Steil is urging colleagues to focus strictly on the technical details of crucial crypto bills, arguing that unrelated political matters are slowing down progress on establishing a much-needed regulatory framework for the digital asset industry.
Why are Crypto Bills Facing Delays?
According to Rep. Steil, a Republican from Wisconsin who chairs the House Financial Services Subcommittee on crypto, the main impediment to advancing crypto bills is the tendency for lawmakers to attach ‘non-germane items’ – essentially, unrelated political issues or scandals – to legislation that has a chance of passing. Speaking at the Bitcoin 2025 conference, Steil emphasized the need for restraint from this instinct across the political spectrum. He believes this practice distracts from the core goal: creating a clear and enforceable crypto regulation framework that benefits American consumers, innovation, and development.
The Push for Stablecoin Legislation and Market Structure
Two pieces of legislation are particularly critical for the industry right now: the GENIUS Act, focused on regulating stablecoins, and a broader crypto market structure bill. Supporters in Congress hope to pass these before the August recess. However, progress has been rocky. The GENIUS Act faced a temporary setback when some Democratic lawmakers withdrew support, citing concerns related to former President Donald Trump’s crypto activities. While the bill eventually moved forward procedurally, Steil highlighted that these political concerns, while potentially valid on their own, are not relevant to the legislative text designed to establish foundational stablecoin legislation.
The proposed market structure bill aims to build on previous efforts, specifically the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21), which passed the House in May 2024 but did not become law in the last Congress. House Agricultural and Financial Services Committee chairs Glenn Thompson and French Hill introduced a new version in May, demonstrating continued effort to refine the regulatory approach.
Bryan Steil’s Call for Focus and Speed
Rep. Bryan Steil is adamant that lawmakers must prioritize the legislative text itself. He argues that the focus should remain squarely on creating a framework that allows for effective enforcement actions to strengthen the digital asset market. He stressed that unrelated political controversies, while perhaps important in other contexts, should not be allowed to derail the technical work required for robust crypto regulation.
Steil acknowledged that the political landscape around crypto has been complex, but he also recognized efforts from Democratic colleagues to better understand the industry’s concerns regarding past regulatory approaches. He pointed to the bipartisan support for FIT21 in the previous Congress as a sign that consensus on the need for clear rules is possible, calling it a “great practice run” for future legislative efforts like the current market structure bill.
Will Bipartisan Support Drive Crypto Regulation Forward?
The sentiment that the US needs to act on crypto regulation is shared by others across the aisle. Democratic Senator Marker Warner echoed a similar view before the GENIUS Act’s procedural vote, stating the US cannot afford to lag behind while the crypto industry evolves globally. Warner emphasized that while concerns about corruption exist, they should not blind lawmakers to the reality that blockchain technology is here to stay. He warned that if American lawmakers don’t shape the future of this technology through legislation, others will, potentially in ways that don’t align with US interests or democratic values.
Rep. Bryan Steil believes that if Congress can successfully pass the current stablecoin legislation and the market structure bill, it will open the door for exploring many other innovative ideas within the digital asset space. The key, he reiterates, is to stay focused on the legislative task at hand and avoid cluttering essential bills with non-relevant items.
Summary: A Plea for Legislative Purity in Crypto Bills
The push for comprehensive US crypto regulation is at a critical juncture. Representative Bryan Steil is making a clear and urgent plea to his colleagues: keep political baggage out of essential crypto bills like the stablecoin legislation and the market structure bill. By focusing solely on the regulatory text designed to provide clarity and enforceability, Steil believes Congress can finally unlock the potential of digital assets for American consumers and innovators. The challenge lies in lawmakers resisting the urge to add unrelated items, a hurdle that has previously slowed down the legislative process. The industry watches closely, hoping that this call for restraint leads to focused action and the long-awaited regulatory clarity.
