Congressional Blockchain Caucus
{{Short description|United States caucus}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
The Congressional Blockchain Caucus is a bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives and staff. The caucus was founded during the 114th United States Congress to be a platform for industry and government to study and understand blockchain technology, and the role Congress can play in its development.{{Cite web|title=Congressional Blockchain Caucus - Summary from LegiStorm|url=https://www.legistorm.com/organization/summary/140646/Congressional_Blockchain_Caucus.html|access-date=2021-10-16|website=www.legistorm.com}}{{Cite web|last=Jordan|first=Chuck|date=2021-02-08|title=Congress has only begun its study of financial technologies|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/technology/537803-congress-has-only-begun-its-study-of-financial-technologies|access-date=2021-10-16|website=TheHill|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Congressional Blockchain Caucus|url=https://congressionalblockchaincaucus-schweikert.house.gov/|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Congressional Blockchain Caucus|language=en}}
History
The Congressional Blockchain Caucus was formed in September 26, 2016, to study blockchain technology. The Congressional Blockchain Caucus was formed by Jared Polis, a Democratic congressman from Colorado, and Mick Mulvaney, a Republican representing South Carolina.
On March 24, 2019, seven congressmen sent a letter to Larry Kudlow, the director of the National Economic Council. The letter requested that the administration have a forum on blockchain technology and initiate blockchain technology. The signers of the letter were congressmen Trey Hollingsworth, Darren Soto, Bill Foster, Tom Emmer, Ted Budd, Josh Gottheimer and David Schweikert.{{Cite web|date=2019-05-29|title=Seven U.S. Members of Congress Urge Administration to Support Blockchain Technology|url=https://digitalchamber.org/seven-u-s-members-of-congress-urge-administration-to-support-blockchain-technology/|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Chamber of Digital Commerce|language=en-US}}
In March 2021, Representatives Darren Soto (D-FL) and Warren Davidson (R-OH) reintroduced the Token Taxonomy Act. The bill's co-sponsors are Ted Budd (R-NC), Scott Perry (R-PA) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ).{{Cite web|date=2021-03-10|title=Soto, Davidson Reintroduce Token Taxonomy Act|url=https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-davidson-reintroduce-token-taxonomy-act|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Congressman Darren Soto|language=en}}
In a press release dated June 16, 2021, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, chairwoman of the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, announced the formation of a Digital Assets Working Group for Democratic members of Congress. Bill Foster (D-IL), who is Chair of the Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and a co-founder of the Congressional Blockchain Group, is a member of this new Digital Assets Working Group. The Congressional Blockchain Caucus focuses on cryptocurrency policy.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-16|title=Waters Announces Digital Assets Working Group|url=https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408014|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Financial Services Committee|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=- EXAMINING FACEBOOK'S PROPOSED CRYPTOCURRENCY AND ITS IMPACT ON CONSUMERS, INVESTORS, AND THE AMERICAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-116hhrg39740/html/CHRG-116hhrg39740.htm|access-date=2021-10-16|website=www.govinfo.gov}}
Purpose
The caucus was formed to be a platform for industry and government to study and understand blockchain technology.
Co-Chairs
- Tom Emmer, (R-Minn)
- David Schweikert, (R-Ariz.)
- Darren Soto, (D-Fla.){{Cite web|date=2019-01-28|title=Darren Soto to lead congressional 'Blockchain Caucus'|url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/286689-darren-soto-to-lead-congressional-blockchain-caucus/|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Florida Politics|language=en-US}}
- Bill Foster (politician) (D-Ill.).{{Cite web|title=Congressional Blockchain Caucus|url=https://congressionalblockchaincaucus-schweikert.house.gov/|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Congressional Blockchain Caucus|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Evangelizing Blockchain to the US Congress|url=https://www.orbs.com/|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Orbs}}
Members
File:Congressional Blockchain Caucus in the 117th Congress.svg]]
- Congressman Jake Auchincloss (MA-4)
- Congressman Don Beyer (VA-8)
- Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-3)
- Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-3)
- Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-1)
- Congressman Troy Carter (LA-2)
- Congressman John Curtis (UT-3)
- Congressman Warren Davidson (OH-8)
- Congressman Byron Donalds (FL-19)
- Congressman Jeff Duncan (SC-3)
- Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5)
- Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-4)
- Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17)
- Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8)
- Congressman John Larson (CT-1)
- Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49)
- Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-3)
- Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (MA-8)
- Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-1)
- Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-5)
- Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (VI-1)
- Congresswoman Maria Salazar (FL-27)
- Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-1)
- Congressman Eric Swalwell (CA-14)
- Congressman Glenn Thompson (PA-15)
- Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15)
- Congressman Michael Waltz (FL-6)
- Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1)