House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) reintroduced ICBA-advocated legislation restricting the ability of the federal government to introduce a central bank digital currency. A similar bill passed the House during the last Congress.
Details: The CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act (H.R. 5403):
Prohibits the Federal Reserve Banks from offering products or services directly to individuals, maintaining individual accounts, or issuing a CBDC to individuals or through an intermediary.
Prohibits the Federal Reserve and the Federal Open Market Committee from using a CBDC to implement monetary policy.
ICBA View: ICBA has repeatedly expressed opposition to the creation of a U.S. CBDC and commended the members of Congress who passed the bill last year.
Support Statement: “Given the consumer and economic risks posed by a potential Federal Reserve-issued central bank digital currency, ICBA and the nation’s community banks strongly support House Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said.