Lummis retirement follows scrutiny over stalled crypto legislation

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(The Center Square) – U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., announced she will not seek reelection in 2026, a move that comes as she faces mounting criticism of her role in delaying cryptocurrency legislation backed by the Trump White House and House Republicans.

Lummis, who has made digital asset policy a major focus of her Senate work, said her decision was driven by the demands of the job rather than political considerations.

“Deciding not to run for reelection does represent a change of heart for me, but in the difficult, exhausting session weeks this fall, I’ve come to accept that I do not have six more years in me,” Lummis said in a statement. “I am a devout legislator, but I feel like a sprinter in a marathon. The energy required doesn’t match up.”

Her announcement follows renewed scrutiny over stalled Senate action on digital asset market structure legislation. Earlier this year, the U.S. House passed the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act with bipartisan support, and President Donald Trump identified the bill as a priority.

Yet,  the measure has not advanced in the Senate. Critics argue momentum slowed after Lummis and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., introduced separate legislation that would create a new category for so-called “ancillary assets.”

The Bull Moose Project, a conservative advocacy group, publicly criticized Lummis earlier this month, accusing her of sidelining the House-passed bill and delaying legislation the White House wanted finalized before Thanksgiving.

“The White House was clear that it wanted digital asset market legislation passed and on the President’s desk before Thanksgiving,” Bull Moose Project founder Aiden Buzzetti said in a release. “The House did its job, and the Senate was ready to pass it until Senator Lummis called an audible and fumbled the ball.”

Lummis has defended her approach, saying her proposal would provide clearer rules for innovators while strengthening consumer protections. She also said that negotiations in the Senate have been slower than she anticipated.

“These conversations at this point are very successful, yes, they’re slower than we hoped,” Lummis told Bloomberg earlier this fall.

In her retirement announcement, Lummis reiterated her continued support for Trump and said she plans to remain active through the end of her term.

“I am honored to have earned the support of President Trump and to have the opportunity to work side by side with him to fight for the people of Wyoming,” she said. “I look forward to continuing this partnership and throwing all my energy into bringing important legislation to his desk in 2026.”

Lummis’ decision sets the stage for a competitive Republican primary in Wyoming, while leaving unanswered questions about the future of digital asset legislation.