Republican Representative Keith Self of Texas filed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Tuesday, seeking to explicitly ban the Federal Reserve from testing, developing, or implementing a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC). The amendment, titled "Anti-CBDC Surveillance State," would prohibit the Fed from creating a CBDC or "any digital asset that is substantially similar under any other name or label." It also bars Federal Reserve banks from offering financial products directly to individuals.
The move comes after House GOP leaders unveiled the 3,086-page defense bill on Sunday without the promised CBDC ban language, triggering backlash from conservative lawmakers. Rep. Self stated, "Promises were broken to include this language in the NDAA. My amendment would fix the bill." He told Fox Business that conservatives were assured language authored by Majority Whip Tom Emmer would be included.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) echoed these concerns, criticizing House Speaker Mike Johnson for not keeping his promise to include the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act in the NDAA. Greene, who voted against the GENIUS Act stablecoin framework in July, alleges it contains a "back door" or "loophole" for a CBDC. She tweeted, "I support crypto but I will never support giving the government the ability to turn off your ability to have full control of your money."
Legal experts have pushed back on Greene's claim. Attorney Braden Perry stated her assertion "does not have a real legal basis" and is "more political commentary than legal analysis." He noted the GENIUS Act explicitly states stablecoins are not central bank money.
The political context is shaped by prior actions. In January, President Trump signed an executive order prohibiting federal agencies from establishing or promoting CBDCs. The standalone Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act passed the House in July 2025 but awaits Senate approval. A House leadership aide told The Hill that efforts to include the ban in the NDAA "fell apart amid negotiations over the bipartisan housing package." The House Rules Committee is preparing to decide whether Self's amendment advances to a floor vote, with GOP leaders aiming to pass the defense bill late Wednesday.
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