SALT LAKE CITY — Friends of Traditional Banking has taken a closer look at where
FOTB announced its Top Ten earlier this month, narrowing its 2026 watch list to candidates in six U.S. House races and four U.S. Senate contests—all races currently rated as "Toss Ups" by the Cook Political Report. The organization is monitoring these candidates as it prepares to select its final two or three endorsements in early September.
The CLARITY Act provides a useful window into how these candidates approach an emerging area of financial regulation. The House passed H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025, by a bipartisan 294-134 vote on July 17, 2025. The Senate Banking Committee approved an amended version 15-9 on May 14, 2026, although the full Senate had not taken a floor vote as of FOTB's August 8 research review.
FOTB's review found that seven of the Top Ten have direct, definite evidence of support for the CLARITY Act; Mike Rogers strongly supports the same market-structure principles; Sen. Susan Collins has not declared a CLARITY-specific position; and no discernible public position was identified for Michael Whatley.
U.S. House of Representatives
Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Arizona) — Strongly supports. Ciscomani voted for final House passage of the CLARITY Act. He also endorsed regulatory frameworks that create clearer pathways for digital-asset businesses and distinguish securities from commodities.
Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) — Strongly supports. Nunn voted for the bill, served as a cosponsor and publicly praised it for bringing greater structure to digital assets, strengthening consumer protections and helping keep innovation and jobs in the United States.
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-New Jersey) — Strongly supports. Kean voted for final passage and publicly applauded the legislation, emphasizing regulatory structure, consumer protection, market certainty, American innovation and stronger safeguards.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-New York) — Strongly supports. Although Lawler missed the final House vote, he had voted for the legislation in committee, was a cosponsor and later entered a statement in the Congressional Record saying he would have voted for final passage.
Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-Pennsylvania) — Supports. Bresnahan voted for final House passage. His recorded vote is the clearest evidence of his position; FOTB's review did not identify a comparably detailed public statement from him specifically addressing the legislation.
Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas) — Supports the CLARITY Act specifically. Gonzalez joined the bipartisan coalition voting for final House passage. His broader digital-asset record is more mixed, making his direct vote for CLARITY the most precise indicator of his position.
U.S. Senate
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) — Undeclared on CLARITY specifically. Because the Senate has not held a floor vote and Collins does not serve on the Senate Banking Committee, she has not had an opportunity to vote on the measure. FOTB's review found no explicit public statement from Collins supporting or opposing the CLARITY Act, although her broader digital-asset record has leaned supportive.
Mike Rogers (R-Michigan) — Very likely supportive. Rogers has publicly backed digital assets and comprehensive market-structure reform, including clear distinctions between digital-asset securities and commodities and defined regulatory responsibilities. Those are central elements of the CLARITY framework, although FOTB's review did not identify a statement in which Rogers specifically endorsed H.R. 3633 by name.
Michael Whatley (R-North Carolina) — Position unknown. FOTB's review found no congressional voting record and no candidate-specific public statement supporting or opposing the CLARITY Act or digital-asset market-structure legislation. The absence of a public position should not be interpreted as opposition.
Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) — Strongly supports. Husted publicly endorsed the CLARITY Act on July 28, calling for a clear, workable digital-asset framework that supports U.S. innovation and job creation.
"Bankers deserve to know where the candidates in the country's most consequential races stand on major financial-policy issues," said Mike Winder, executive director of Friends of Traditional Banking. "The CLARITY Act has drawn substantial bipartisan support and raises important questions about regulatory certainty, innovation and the future of financial services. As we continue evaluating our Top Ten, votes and clear public positions like these are valuable pieces of the overall picture."
FOTB is a nonpartisan organization and considers candidates from both major political parties. Its evaluation includes candidates' importance to traditional banking, their approach to financial policy and regulation, the competitiveness of their races, and whether concentrated support from bankers could make a meaningful difference.
The CLARITY Act is only one of the issues FOTB is considering as it conducts further scrutiny of the Top Ten and monitors late-summer polling. In early September, the organization plans to select two or three candidates for its "big-dollar shower," mobilizing its nationwide membership to make individual contributions directly to those campaigns.
About Friends of Traditional Banking
Friends of Traditional Banking is a nonpartisan, nationwide grassroots organization created by bankers to support candidates who understand the importance of traditional banking to local communities and the American economy. Its more than 50,000 members represent all 50 states. Each election cycle, FOTB identifies a small number of highly competitive congressional races and encourages its members to donate directly to endorsed candidates.
Media Contact:
Mike Winder, Executive Director
Friends of Traditional Banking
801-633-1300