Washington, DC– Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) today released the following statement regarding the passage of H.R. 1919, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act:
“The decision to prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency is one of the most stunningly ignorant votes I have seen taken by this body. Nobody yet knows whether a CBDC is a good idea or not. There is potential for abuse and corruption, but also for extraordinary modernization that could serve unbanked communities, support the primacy of the U.S. dollar, and much more. Rather than allow for the exploration of that potential, my colleagues turned their backs on this country’s long tradition of innovation out of fear of the unknown. That is shameful leadership— the Senate must do better and reject this irresponsible legislation.”
Congressman Himes previously wrote a white paper on the potential for a U.S. Central Bank Digital Currency. Read it here.