Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene condemned the GENIUS Act as a backdoor mechanism for implementing a central bank digital currency.
She also voted against the legislation that passed both chambers of Congress.
The Georgia congresswoman warned that the stablecoin regulation bill opens the path to “a cashless society and into digital currency that an authoritarian government can weaponize against you.”
Greene expressed distrust of government control over monetary systems and questioned whether Americans should trust authorities “to never do that to you.”
She characterized the legislation as allowing government control over citizens’ ability to buy and sell through digital currency systems.
Three Bills, Three Different Regulatory Paths for Crypto
Greene outlined her voting positions on three cryptocurrency bills Congress considered.
While she opposed the GENIUS Act, she supported the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, which prohibits Federal Reserve Banks from issuing Central Bank Digital Currencies.
Greene also supported the Clarity Act for its self-custody protections, though she warned about potential Senate modifications.
“I will vote NO when it comes back if self custody protections are taken out,” Greene declared.
The congresswoman connected current digital currency developments to the 1971 decision to abandon the gold standard, which she called “ridiculous” and blamed for weakening the dollar.
Greene issued a warning about transitioning from physical cash that you can hold in your hand, hide from the government, and save for yourself and your family to digital systems.
Trump Administration Priorities Under Scrutiny
Former State Representative Tim Cahill agreed with Greene’s concerns. He mentioned that such policies would be implemented under President Trump despite previous opposition rhetoric.
Cahill cited E-ZPass toll systems as an example of how adopting cashless payments leads to increased surveillance and fees.
“He’s more concerned with making any deal possible then actually making the right deal,” Cahill wrote [sic].
