Senate Housing Legislation Includes Federal Reserve CBDC Prohibition Through 2030

Key Takeaways

• The US Senate’s housing legislation contains language preventing the Federal Reserve from launching a CBDC through December 31, 2030
• Senate Banking Committee leaders Tim Scott and Elizabeth Warren jointly introduced the legislation in an uncommon display of bipartisan cooperation
• White House officials released a statement endorsing the legislation, specifically mentioning support for the CBDC prohibition due to concerns about privacy and individual freedoms
• The legislation advanced through a procedural cloture vote with an 84–6 margin, setting up debate on the Senate floor
• The prohibition does not apply to stablecoins that maintain open, permissionless, and private characteristics

Legislation currently making its way through the US Senate with a focus on housing policy contains a notable rider that would prevent the Federal Reserve from launching a central bank digital currency (CBDC) through the final day of 2030.

The comprehensive legislation, titled the “21st Century ROAD to Housing Act,” received its introduction this Monday from Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott alongside Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren. Within the 303-page document, the CBDC prohibition occupies merely two pages.

Lawmakers approved a critical procedural cloture motion by an 84–6 margin, paving the way for comprehensive Senate floor discussion. The overwhelming vote demonstrates substantial cross-party agreement.

The White House released official remarks supporting the legislation. Officials specifically highlighted the CBDC prohibition, stating that a federally-issued digital dollar presents “significant threats to personal privacy and liberty.”

The prohibition would prevent the Federal Reserve or any Federal Reserve bank from launching a CBDC “directly or indirectly through a financial institution or other intermediary.” The restriction includes a sunset provision that terminates on December 31, 2030.

Once that deadline arrives, fresh legislation would be required to maintain the prohibition. Congressional action would be necessary to either extend the timeframe or establish a permanent restriction.

Scope and Exemptions of the Ban

The legislation creates a specific exemption for stablecoins. Digital currencies pegged to the dollar that remain “open, permissionless, and private” while maintaining the privacy characteristics of physical currency would continue to be permitted.

Neither Senator Scott nor Senator Warren referenced the CBDC language in their public remarks regarding the legislation. Both legislators emphasized housing accessibility and regulatory modernization instead.

Earlier Congressional Efforts Against CBDCs

Congressional attempts to prevent a digital dollar are not new. Senator Mike Lee put forward the “No CBDC Act” during February 2025, though it failed to advance.

Congressman Tom Emmer proposed the “Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act” in June 2025. That legislation secured passage in a House vote on July 17, 2025, but remains pending in the full Senate.

The present housing legislation resurrects identical language and connects it to a bill enjoying wider political backing.

On the international stage, just three nations have completely launched a CBDC: Nigeria, Jamaica, and The Bahamas. An additional 49 countries, including China, Russia, India, and Brazil, are currently conducting digital currency trials.

The European Union continues its pilot phase. Germany’s central banking chief voiced support for a digital euro during February.

The US Senate housing legislation now awaits a full floor vote, with the CBDC prohibition remaining intact as drafted.