A group of five Republican US senators has advocated for legislation to prohibit central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
The senators spoke out in opposition to the Biden administration's proposal of a digital dollar.
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At the heart of the controversy is the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act, filed by Senators Ted Cruz, Bill Hagerty, Rick Scott, Ted Budd, and Mike Braun on February 26.
The proposed legislation contests the Federal Reserve's authority to issue a CBDC, aiming to prevent the central bank's direct offerings of products or services to individuals.
Their collective effort underscores concerns over the potential for a government-controlled digital currency to enable unprecedented surveillance and control over American citizens' financial transactions.
Senator Cruz articulated the collective apprehension, emphasizing that Congress must restrict the Federal Reserve from any attempt to deploy a CBDC.
Senator Hagerty's remarks encapsulate the sentiment shared by the senators:
It is clear that government bureaucrats have been far too willing to exploit the financial system to advance political agendas and target Americans. This bill blocks the issuance of a central bank digital currency, preventing CBDC from being used as a tool to surveil and violate Americans’ privacy.
Adding to the debate, the legislation has garnered support from several influential associations, including Heritage Action for America and the Blockchain Association.
Former President Donald Trump, who is eyeing a return to the presidency in 2024, has also voiced opposition to the idea of a digital dollar. Trump's stance aligns with the senators' concerns, highlighting skepticism towards the concept of a CBDC:
Such a currency would give a federal government, our federal government, the absolute control over your money <...> they could take your money, and you wouldn’t even know it was gone.
The outcome of this legislative effort could have lasting implications for the future of digital currency in the United States, setting a precedent for how technology and policy intersect in shaping the nation's monetary future.
In other news of the US crypto environment, the Winklevoss twins donated $4.9 million to Fairshake PAC to enhance the electoral prospects of pro-crypto candidates in the upcoming US elections.
