GOP Lawmaker Aims to Block Fed-Run CBDC Through 'Anti-CBDC Surveillance State' Amendment

Texas Representative Keith Self has proposed an amendment to the U.S. Defense Bill to prevent the Federal Reserve from creating or testing a central bank digital currency (CBDC). This proposal has sparked discussions within the GOP about digital dollar policies, especially following previous promises that similar language would be included in defense legislation.

Key Takeaways

Rep. Keith Self introduced an amendment to ban the Federal Reserve from developing a CBDC.
The amendment aims to address unmet commitments regarding CBDC language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Concerns about CBDCs revolve around government surveillance capabilities and transaction monitoring.
Previous legislation related to CBDCs and regulatory oversight of cryptocurrency markets has not been enacted.

U.S. lawmaker files Anti-CBDC amendment to defense bill.

Main Content

Texas Republican Representative Keith Self has taken a significant step by submitting an amendment to the $900 billion U.S. Defense Bill. This amendment specifically aims to prevent the Federal Reserve from creating or testing a central bank digital currency (CBDC). According to statements made on December 9, 2025, Self characterizes this amendment as an “Anti-CBDC Surveillance State” proposal.

Self argues that there were previous assurances that anti-CBDC language would be part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which were ultimately not fulfilled in the final compromise version. “Promises were broken to include this language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). My amendment would fix the bill,” he commented. The House Rules Committee is set to meet to see if this amendment will proceed to a floor vote.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump described CBDCs as a “dangerous threat to freedom,” committing to prevent a Federal Reserve-operated digital dollar. In 2025, he signed an executive order forbidding federal agencies from developing or promoting a U.S. CBDC.

In response to worries that executive orders can be overridden by future administrations, Republican lawmakers are striving to put a permanent legislative ban on CBDCs through amendments to the NDAA. Self mentioned that conservative legislators had received confirmations about the inclusion of anti-CBDC language in the defense authorization bill.

Critics within the GOP express concerns that CBDCs would enable the federal government to conduct more robust surveillance on transactions, comparing potential risks to digital payment systems used in China. There are fears that the government might monitor transactions and restrict payments based on political or social criteria.

Reports suggest that some Republican lawmakers are considering withdrawing their support for the defense bill if the amendment fails to get a floor vote.

In July 2025, the House of Representatives passed two related legislative proposals: the CLARITY Act and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act. Neither of these has yet become law. The Anti-CBDC Act's purpose is to issue a lasting ban on any U.S. central bank digital currency, while the CLARITY Act tackles the regulatory jurisdiction between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in relation to cryptocurrency markets. Additionally, the CLARITY Act includes consumer protection measures and proposes regulatory frameworks for decentralized finance and stablecoins.