Texas Senator Ted Cruz introduced companion legislation into the United States Senate on Wednesday for Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer’s bill that InterdictionsThe Federal Reserve is prohibited from issuing digital currency central banks to individuals. January 18th, Emmer presented the House bill. Fellow congressman Cruz’s legislation could potentially speed up the passage or rejection of the bill by allowing it to be considered in both chambers of Congress at the same time.

Emmer is co-chairman of the Congressional Blockchain Caucus. He was motivated by concerns that a retail CBDC might force customers to open accounts at the Federal Reserve Bank. According to the lawmaker, that could “be used as a surveillance tool that Americans should never tolerate from their own government.” Emmer said in January: