Episodes

  • Elizabeth Warren: regs needed to "reduce the use of crypto by terrorists and drug traffickers"

    Elizabeth Warren: regs needed to "reduce the use of crypto by terrorists and drug traffickers"
    Feb 1 2025
    Who?Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) — Senate Banking & Finance CommitteesLISTEN: Laslo & WarrenAsk a Pol asks:What do you think about the incoming Trump administration’s new tone on crypto?Key Warren:“I keep wondering when someone's going to explain what crypto rules they plan to put in place to reduce the use of crypto by terrorists and drug traffickers,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “So far, I'm just not hearing anything.”ICYMI — Crypto regulation has been in motion in 2024Caught our ear:“I don't have any problem with people who want to buy and sell crypto,” Warren tells us. “But putting in a handful of rules that suggest to the American people that trading crypto is safe at the same time that defrauding people is still easy, creates a real problem.”Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Elizabeth WarrenSCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo runs into Sen. Warren in the basement of the US Capitol before proceeding to hop on her elevator as she heads to the Senate floor to vote. Matt Laslo: “Hey, ma’am.”Elizabeth Warren: “How you doing?”ML: “Curious your thoughts on this new tone on crypto from the incoming administration?”EW: “Well, I keep wondering when someone's going to explain what crypto rules they plan to put in place to reduce the use of crypto by terrorists and drug traffickers.”ML: “Yeah?” EW: “So far, I'm just not hearing anything.”ML: “And are you — I mean, how were you and what can you do to change that conversation? Because it seems like the Trumps are now invested and all-in, seemingly.”EW: “I don't have any problem with people who want to buy and sell crypto.”ML: “Yeah?” EW: “And putting rules in place that give Americans more confidence when they do that can be a good idea, so long as those rules are meaningful. But putting in a handful of rules that suggest to the American people that trading crypto is safe at the same time that defrauding people is still easy, creates a real problem.”Support our independent journalism, please! Find us on Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!ML: “You probably missed it, but 60 Minutes had a segment on crypto?”EW: “No, I didn't. I'll have to look.”ICYMI — Sen. Lummis begs to differ with Ms. WarrenML: “Well it’s interesting, it looked back at the election and they were kind of flexing, and now they're like, ‘Hey, we got $100 million going into the midterms’ that they're already kind of holding over lawmakers. EW: “Yep, I gotta —ML: “But they had seemed to…”EW: “I gotta go.”Warner darts for the Senate floor. Bloomberg reporter: “Is there anything you want to…”Warren breezed past him and entered the Senate chamber. Andrey Beregovskiy contributed to this report. What should we ask lawmakers this week? Let us know!Content posted at AskaPolcrypto.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. Get full access to Ask a Pol crypto at www.askapolcrypto.com/subscribe
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    3 mins
  • "It was the right thing to do," Sen. Lummis says of Trump's pardon of Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht

    "It was the right thing to do," Sen. Lummis says of Trump's pardon of Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht
    Jan 24 2025
    Who?Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) — Senate Banking and Commerce Committees LISTEN: Laslo & LummisAsk a Pol asks:What do you make of President Donald Trump's pardon of Silk Road founder Ross William Ulbricht? Key Lummis:“The more I learned about it, the more I think it was the right thing to do,” Sen. Cynthia Lummis exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “This is one where the punishment truly didn't fit the crime, and so I think this was the right thing to do. And I've never met him — I've met his mother; very nice woman, very — she's not in denial. I mean, she knows that her son was dealing drugs using the Bitcoin blockchain. But two life sentences for — it just seems wrong.” ICYMI — Lummis shares her optimism for new crypto-friendly CongressCaught our ear:“I think that the people who are being appointed reflect President Trump's less — he's not hostile,” Lummis tells us. “And I'm not saying he's wildly pro-digital assets, but he's not hostile.”Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Cynthia LummisSCENE: Initially, Ask a Pol bumps into Sen. Cynthia Lummis outside the Senate chamber, and we ask our main question. She tells us she’s still gotta vote and to hold tight. After voting, Sen. Lummis approaches us and immediately jumps into answering our question. Cynthia Lummis: “You know, the more I learned about it, the more I think it was the right thing to do. I did not realize that — although this Ross [Ulbricht], I forget his last name…”Matt Laslo: “Yeah, it’s hard to pronounce.”CL: “…Ross — or Russ? — was clearly dealing drugs on the Bitcoin blockchain or using it. You know, clearly he deserved to be prosecuted, and he was guilty. But he got two life sentences. Two of the FBI agents that investigated him stole some of that Bitcoin.”ML: “Really?”CL: “Yeah. And then another person who was involved in that drug dealing didn't do any time in jail. Something — this is one where the punishment truly didn't fit the crime, and so I think this was the right thing to do. And I've never met him — I've met his mother. I've met his mother. Yeah, very nice woman, very — she's not in denial. I mean, she knows that her son was dealing drugs using the Bitcoin blockchain. But two life sentences for — it just seems wrong.”ML: “Some of your colleagues say there was child sex trafficking and murder for hire stuff, at least going on on this site, not necessarily tied to him, but…?”CL: “Yeah, I don't know about that. I don't know, I don't know if he was involved in that. But when you look at other people that were in the orbit of that, you know, criminal enterprise, it just seemed like the sentence was crazy, and he has served, what, ten years or so.”ML: “Yeah? Maybe even more…”*CORRECTION: He was convicted in 2015. CL: “Yeah.”ML: (inaudible) CL: “Yeah, to me that this is commuting it to time served, is that what the president did?”ML: “I believe so.”NOPE: “…full and unconditional pardon…”CL: “Yeah.ML: “Busy week, ma'am.”CL: “Well, I know. These executive orders have been coming right now. And so I don't know all the details, but that's what I know. So I'm just comfortable with what — I am comfortable with what he did, the president.” ML: “What do you think about the new SEC regulatory meetings, or whatever it is. It’s in my notes. So I can't read my notes. Their new regulatory crypto task force.”CL: “Yeah, I'm excited about it. [Commissioner] Hester [“crypto mom”] Peirce, who is at the SEC, is very knowledgeable about digital assets, and so I think she'll be — I think she'll be involved in shaping it. I think she'll be able to go through and look at pending agency guidance, pending rules, pending lawsuits and be able to sort out what's very legitimate and what is of concern. And by legitimate, I mean, would this case have been brought if it didn't involve cryptocurrency or digital assets, and if the answer’s, ‘Yeah, it would have been brought regardless,’ it's probably a legitimate case. But if a case is being brought or a rule is being drafted only to apply to this one asset, it looks kinda punitive, and Hester will be able to cut through that.”ML: “Do you think that would be a sea change, or is it part of the bigger — you still need a new head of the SEC and stuff like that?”Every bit helps!Support our independent crypto journalism by finding us on Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!CL: “Yeah, when [Trump’s head of SEC nominee] Paul Atkins comes in and is confirmed, he also is knowledgeable about digital assets. Quite frankly, [former SEC chair] Gary Gensler was knowledgeable. The problem was, he was — that whole administration was hostile towards digital assets: the White House, the FDIC, Treasury, the Fed, the bank supervision people at the Fed, the bank compliance ...
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    8 mins
  • EXCLUSIVE — Chair French Hill says dollar-backed stablecoin and market structure are top priorities

    EXCLUSIVE — Chair French Hill says dollar-backed stablecoin and market structure are top priorities
    Jan 17 2025
    Who?Rep. French Hill (R-AR) — Chair, House Financial Services CommitteeLISTEN: Laslo & HillAsk a Pol asks:What do you see as the path forward on crypto in this new Congress?Key Hill:“We're going to work with [Senate Finance Committee] Chair Tim Scott and the new Digital Asset Subcommittee Chair Cynthia Lummis in the Senate to craft a path forward for both the dollar-backed stablecoin legislation and a regulatory market structure for digital assets as well,” Rep. French Hill exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “Those will be key, you know, early objectives.” Subscribe for FREE to get our latest crypto exclusives from the Capitol first! Or consider a paid, VIP subscription to support our work.ICYMI — Whip Tom Emmer bullish on crypto Caught our ear:“We've built the coalition about what those two policy objectives look like when we got that partisan feedback from them,” Hill tells us. “People have concerns about privacy, about the law enforcement aspects of digital assets and financial technology. And we believe we would address those in both the stablecoin draft legislation and how we crafted FIT that passed the House floor.”Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. French Hill (R-AR), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Rep. French HillSCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo is staking out the basement of the US Capitol as lawmakers make their way to vote on the floor of the House of Representatives when he runs into newly minted House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill. They then proceed to accidentally ride an elevator together for a few minutes… Matt Laslo: “Hey, how are you?”French Hill: “How are you?”ML: “Mr. Emmer told me to talk to you.”FH: “Mm-hm.”ML: “What do you see as the path forward on crypto for this Congress?”FH: “Yep. So I'll say on the record that we're going to work with [Senate Financial Services Committee] Chairman Tim Scott and the new Digital Asset Subcommittee Chair Cynthia Lummis in the Senate to craft a path forward for both the dollar-backed stablecoin legislation and a regulatory market structure for digital assets as well. Those will be key, you know, early objectives on a bicameral basis.” ML: “Yeah? And you think that one pretty early, cause it is still bipartisan?”FH: “I think, we, you know, we've done our homework.”ML: “Yeah?” FH: “We've done — we've built the coalition about what those two policy objectives look like and we’ve gotten bipartisan feedback from them. So yeah.”ML: “Now, there wasn't — well, there was outright opposition from the [Sen. Elizabeth] Warrens and {Rep. Brad] Shermans of the world — but do you feel like, not that they're powerless, but they're now the minority in this new Congress?” FH: “Look, I think people have concerns about privacy, about the law enforcement aspects of digital assets and financial technology. And we believe we’ve addressed those in both the stablecoin draft legislation and how we crafted FIT that passed the House floor. But we're, you know, always willing to talk to our colleagues about concerns they have.”Every bit helps! Support our independent crypto journalism by finding us on Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!ML: “And do you think like, is it a new day for crypto here in Washington?”Hill enters elevator. ML: “Does it feel like it's a new day for crypto here in Washington?” Laslo enters elevator. FH: “I believe that…”ML: “Does the leadership get it more now?”FH: “I think over the last four years, actually starting back, or even longer, six years dating back to even Ranking Member Waters — then-Chair Maxine Waters — worked during Libra and, you know, the whole Facebook…” Elevator opens on the 2nd floor of Capitol. FH: “I’m going first, I’m sorry.”ML: “I’m going to basement.”The elevator goes up to the 3rd floor. FH: “I think that after four to six years of work and member education, that we are in a better place, that we have more members that are knowledgeable about the policy points in the discussion. So I believe this Congress is…” Elevator stops on the 2nd floor for second time. FH: “It’s a new day for this Congress, in that we have more members on both sides of the aisle that are familiar with these issues…”ML: “One more. We’re riding a local, sir.”Both are laughing as Hill point out to the expansive marble hallway just off the House floor. FH: “Beautiful building. You’ve done a lot of nice things with it.”ML: “19 years here and still doesn't get old.”FH: “Yeah.” ML: “Interesting. What are you expecting from Trump executive order-wise? Do you expect something early?”Elevator opens on 1st floor where Hill sees a colleague. . FH: “Hey Debby.” Debby: “Hey, how are you?” FH: “I’m interested in the approach the incoming administration takes on any executive order for this space, and certainly trying to ...
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    5 mins
  • House Whip Tom Emmer: "you're gonna see a bunch of" crypto legislation this Congress

    House Whip Tom Emmer: "you're gonna see a bunch of" crypto legislation this Congress
    Jan 15 2025

    Who?

    Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) — House Majority Whip

    LISTEN: Laslo & Emmer

    Ask a Pol asks:

    What's the game plan for crypto this Congress?

    Key Emmer:

    “That's being developed,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “I think you're gonna see stablecoin legislation. I think you're gonna see market structure legislation. I think you're gonna see the prohibition of a central bank digital currency.”

    ICYMI — Wheels turning in Senate too…?

    Caught our ear:

    “I’d talk to [new House Financial Services Committee Chair] French Hill,” Emmer tells us. “Pretty sure he's got it mapped out.”

    Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), slightly edited for clarity.

    TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Tom Emmer

    SCENE: As House Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s rounding a corner in the Capitol’s basement on his way to the weekly GOP leadership press conference, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches up with him...

    Matt Laslo: “How you doing, sir?”

    Tom Emmer: “Doing great.”

    ML: “What's the game plan for crypto this Congress?”

    TE: “Well, that's being developed. I’d talk to French Hill.”

    ML: “Yeah? I've been looking for him.”

    TE: “Pretty sure he's, he's got it mapped out.”

    Every bit helps!

    Support our independent crypto journalism by finding us on Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!

    ML: “But it does kinda feel like it's a new day on Capitol Hill?”

    TE: “Oh yeah.”

    ML: “Yeah?”

    TE: “Oh yeah. You're gonna see — I think you're gonna see stablecoin legislation. I think you're gonna see market structure legislation. I think you're gonna see the prohibition of a central bank digital currency. I think you're gonna see a bunch of it.”

    ML: “Yeah? And pretty soon, probably?”

    TE: “Again, that's the chair.”

    ML: “Yeah? On it.”

    TE: “Yep.”

    ML: “Have a good one, sir.”

    TE: “Thanks.”

    ML: “Preciate ya.”

    Andrey Beregovskiy contributed to this report.

    What should we ask lawmakers this week? Let us know!

    Content posted at AskaPolcrypto.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us.



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    2 mins
  • Sen. Lummis says crypto campaign spending awoke a sleeping Congress

    Sen. Lummis says crypto campaign spending awoke a sleeping Congress
    Jan 4 2025
    Who?Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) — Member, Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs and Commerce CommitteesLISTEN: Laslo & LummisAsk a Pol asks:Since the election, it feels like just a night and day difference when it comes to digital currencies at the US Capitol…Key Lummis:“Isn't it? Isn't it bizarre?” Lummis exclusively told Ask a Pol. “It's the confluence of the maturity of cryptocurrencies — and Bitcoin, specifically — with the Trump election.”Yeah? “So I think it's those two things — that happened almost simultaneously — that has caused this industry to embed,” Lummis said. “From now on they'll be significant players in the national economy, in politics and in acceptance by the American people.” Caught our ear, per spending on the 2024 election:“Through the Financial Innovation Caucus that I had with [fmr. Arizona Sen.] Kyrsten Sinema and through inviting speakers in and visiting people's offices and talking ad nauseam about digital assets, I don't think anything that I ever did has cracked through as much as money in a political environment,” Lummis told us. “Which is sad, but it's true. So I'm glad they're playing. They're playing in a significant way.”ICYMI — fmr. Sen. Sherrod Brown disagrees Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Cynthia LummisSCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo stood waiting in the basement of the Capitol for five or so minutes as Sen. Lummis finished a conversation with another congressional reporter. When she was finished, they hopped the elevator up to the Senate floor so she could vote. Matt Laslo: “I wanted to ask you about crypto.”Cynthia Lummis: “Oh.” ML: “It feels like just a night and day difference.” CL: “Isn't it? Isn't it bizarre?”ML: “Yeah.” CL: “I think that part of it is, it's the confluence of the maturity of cryptocurrencies —and Bitcoin, specifically — with the Trump election.”ML: “Yeah?” CL: “So I think it's those two things — that happened almost simultaneously — that has caused this industry to embed. From now on they'll be significant players in the national economy, in politics and in acceptance by the American people.” ML: “You probably didn't catch it, but did you hear about the 60 Minutes segment on crypto this past weekend?” CL: “No.” ML: “It was interesting, because it kind of looked at their role in the election and how, I guess, 85% of the people they backed won. But I kinda doubted that metric, it didn't seem like a fair metric, because they didn't put money into every race.” CL: “Did they talk about Fairshake?”ML: “Maybe, maybe.” CL: “I need to go back and look at that, because there was a very big, very big super PAC.” ML: “Yeah.”To support our independent journalism, find us on Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!CL: “Like somewhere between $160+ million.“ML: “I think that was the focus — it was their people.” CL: “They were big players in this election for the first time ever.” ML: “Yeah and do you think that awoke many members?” CL: “Yeah. I think that that surprised a lot of people, how mature this industry is, and they're so tired of spending money on lawyers to fight SEC regulatory actions that are unclear, that they thought ‘nuts to the SEC and all these lawyers we’re paying, let's influence the policy makers. Let's play in this area.’ And they did and they played in a big way, and it was significant for both Democrats and Republicans.” ML: “Yeah. And that was the interesting thing. And then I guess also, kinda at the end of the piece, someone gave another $25 million to that, so I guess going into the midterms in two years, yeah, they've already got like $100 million in the bank.” CL: “Oh yeah, they're already locked and loaded.”ML: “That means your colleagues are taking notice of that?” What should we ask lawmakers this week? Let us know!CL: “And they should. You know, I have been, through the Financial Innovation Caucus that I had with Kyrsten Sinema and through inviting speakers in and visiting people's offices and talking ad nauseam about digital assets, I don't think anything that I ever did has cracked through as much as money in a political environment.” ML: “Yeah?”CL: “Which is sad, but it's true. So I'm glad they're playing. They're playing in a significant way.”ML: “Yeah?”CL: “Yeah.”ML: “I’ll be watchin. Preciate ya. Thank you, ma'am.” Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. Get full access to Ask a Pol crypto at www.askapolcrypto.com/subscribe
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    4 mins
  • Ousted Senate Banking Chair Sherrod Brown denies losing because of crypto spending

    Ousted Senate Banking Chair Sherrod Brown denies losing because of crypto spending
    Jan 2 2025
    Who?Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) — Outgoing-Chair, Senate Banking Committee LISTEN: Laslo & Brown Ask a Pol asks:How big of a role do you think crypto played in your loss in November? Key Brown:“I lost because Harris lost the state by 11.5 points. I couldn't run ahead of that,” Sen. Sherrod Brown exclusively told Ask a Pol. “I ran 7.5 points ahead of her. I couldn't have done any better than that.” “Hey big spender…” “They put a lot of money in my race, but $220 million was put in my race. Literally, 20 times what [fmr. Sen. and current Ohio Gov. Mike] DeWine spent when I beat him and when he was incumbent senator in 2006,” Brown said. “Crypto was a part of that, but…so were a number of other special interests.” Caught our ear:“The interesting thing is, in not one of those ads, that I know of, at least in Ohio, did they talk about crypto,” Brown told us. “They don't talk about crypto. They don't. They spend all this money, they don't say what it is, what it means, why it's a great thing. And then they say…voters voted for crypto.” Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Sherrod Brown SCENE: In December, after casting one of his last votes in the US Senate, recently ousted Sen. Sherrod Brown’s walking back to his office across the street from the Capitol via an underground tunnel. After Brown raps up an interview with another congressional reporter, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo proceeds to walk along the Senate trams. When Brown bumps into his colleague, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HA), the two have a brief private conversation that’s off mic. Then, at the end, he takes a call from his staff, which effectively ends the impromptu interview. Sherrod Brown: “Now I gotta talk to him?” Brown quips to the other reporter while pointing to Laslo. Matt Laslo: “Yeah. I’m sorry about that!” Other reporter: “It’s punishment.” SB: “Punishment. Exactly.” ICYMI — Crypto regulation has been in motion in 2024ML: “Did you catch that 60 Minutes episode with the crypto bros or whatever?” SB: “I heard about it. I didn’t see it.” ML: “Well in it — how big of a role do you think crypto played in your race?” SB: “Well, I woulda lost — I lost because Harris lost the state by 11.5 points. I couldn't run ahead of that.”ML: “Yeah?” SB: “I mean, I ran 7.5 points ahead of her. I couldn't have done any better than that, so…”Brown and Laslo overtake a slow walking Sen. Mazie Hirono, who Brown greets and then briefly chats with. SB: “Mazie.” Mazie Hirono: “Do you know I…”We give the two senators space to have a private conversation. Join Ask a Pol’s VIP crypto subscriber-only chat!SB: “It’s certainly occurred to us.” MH: “I mean not that you guys need any help, right? But...” SB: “No, no. It’s certainly occurred to us, for sure Mazie.” . Hirono laughs. SB: “But that’s the right light to shine on it, Maze. I appreciate that.” Brown and Laslo pick up where they left off. ML: “I was curious what you think of the narrative from these crypto guys, because at the end of that 60 Minutes thing, it was interesting, because they [flexed]…” SB: “They put a lot of money in my race, but $220 million was put in my race. Literally, 20 times what [fmr. Sen. and current Ohio Gov. Mike] DeWine spent when I beat him and when he was incumbent senator in 2006 — 20 times, 22 times, probably. 20 times what he spent. I mean, but crypto was a part of that, but so was 10s of — you know, so were a number of other special interests.” Find us on Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!ML: “Yeah? And that's the interesting thing, it seems like the narrative they're latching on to is…”SB: “They did it.” ML: “Yeah.” SB: “But the interesting thing is, in not one of those ads that I know of, at least in Ohio, did they talk about crypto.”ML: “Right?” SB: “They never, they never sell — they talk… They don't talk about crypto. They don't. They spend all this money, they don't say what it is, what it means, why it's a great thing.”ML: “Yeah?” SB: “And then they say crypto voters voted — voters voted for crypto…” Brown gets a call from his staff. Listen: Brown II — same interview, but cleaned up audio SB: “I'm sorry.” ML: “Yeah.”SB: “Sarah, I’m on my way now…” ML: “Merry Christmas, sir.SB: “Okay.”ML: “Have a good one.” Andrey Beregovskiy contributed to this report. Content posted at AskaPolcrypto.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. Get full access to Ask a Pol crypto at www.askapolcrypto.com/subscribe
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    3 mins
  • Financial Services Chair McHenry senses new day for crypto in incoming Congress

    Financial Services Chair McHenry senses new day for crypto in incoming Congress
    Dec 22 2024

    Who?

    Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) — Chair, Financial Services Committee

    LISTEN: Laslo & McHenry

    Ask a Pol asks:

    Does it feel kind of like night and day difference on crypto and other digital currencies right now?

    Key McHenry:

    “Yeah,” Rep. Patrick McHenry exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “You know, the vote on FIT21 — the end of the post-financial crisis in politics — changed everything.”*

    *FIT21

    ICYMI — Lawmakwers predicting a new crypto Congress

    Caught our ear:

    What do you think of the change in tone on crypto?

    “It’s a welcome thing,” McHenry tells us. “It's a welcome thing from where it was 10 years ago.”

    Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), slightly edited for clarity.

    TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Patrick McHenry

    SCENE: Retiring Rep. Patrick McHenry was walking up the steps of the Capitol with his daughter in his arms to cast his last vote in Congress when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo spotted him and snagged a quick take from the outgoing chairman of the powerful Financial Services Committee.

    Matt Laslo: “What do you think of the change in tone on crypto?”

    Patrick McHenry: “It’s a welcome thing.”

    ML: “Yeah?”

    PM: “I mean, it's a welcome thing from where it was 10 years ago.”

    To support our independent journalism, find us on Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!

    McHenry says hello to one of his colleagues leaving the Capitol after voting on the government funding measure.

    PM: “See you, Sam. Have a good night.”

    ML: “Does it feel kind of like night and day difference right now?”

    PM: “Yeah. You know, the vote on FIT21 — the end of the post-financial crisis in politics — changed everything.”

    McHenry’s daughter: “Aren’t you cold?”

    ML: “Yeah?”

    ICYMI — There’s a new Chair in town…

    McHenry’s daughter: “Aren’t you cold?”

    Father and daughter head into the US Capitol to get warm on the frigid night.

    ML: “Thank you, sir.”

    We were forced to stay outside. While the press corps is allowed to leave the Capitol from where they entered the House of Representatives, journalists aren’t allowed to re-enter through the Members Only entrance.

    Content posted at AskaPolCrypto.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us.



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    1 min
  • EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Gillibrand says crypto legislation "ready to be voted on"

    EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Gillibrand says crypto legislation "ready to be voted on"
    Dec 14 2024

    Who?

    Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

    LISTEN: Laslo & Gillibrand

    Ask a Pol asks:

    Trump getting into crypto — does that worry you?

    Key Gillibrand:

    “No, I'm not worried,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “There's so much common ground that I'm hopeful we can have common sense bipartisan legislation this year or next year. So I think it's ready to be voted on.”

    ICYMI — Gillibrand’s efforts to push crypto legislation

    Caught our ear:

    “They're just not knowledgeable,” Gillibrand tells us. “Most members haven't had a chance to learn about the industry, to understand it and to understand what regulatory framework we're proposing. And I think when they do take that time, they will be persuaded.”

    Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), slightly edited for clarity.

    TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

    SCENE: Sen. Gillibrand’s walking through the basement of the US Capitol when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches her for a brief hallway interview before leaving the senator to his colleagues as she hops an elevator up to the Senate floor to vote.

    Matt Laslo: “Crypto. What do you make of how Trump kind of coming around crypto — him and his family — is that good or are you worried?”

    Kirsten Gillibrand: “No, I'm not worried. I think — I've been working on a bipartisan basis on cryptocurrency and blockchain regulation for over two years now.”

    ML: “Yeah.”

    KG: “And there's so much common ground that I'm hopeful we can have common sense, bipartisan legislation this year or next year. So I think it's ready to be voted on.”

    ML: “Yeah?”

    KG: “And I think it will be successful. And we could vote on it in the House as well and it would be successful.”

    ICYMI — Join Ask a Pol’s VIP crypto subscriber-only chat!*

    *Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.

    ML: “Are more members — a lot of members just aren’t familiar with crypto at all…”

    KG: “They're just not knowledgeable. Yeah, most members haven't had a chance to learn about the industry, to understand it and to understand what regulatory framework we're proposing. And I think when they do take that time, they will be persuaded.”

    ML: “Has there been any more chatter since Trump came around it?”

    KG: “No.”

    ML: “No? Thank you, ma’am.”

    Another reporter starts asking Gillibrand questions as her elevator arrives.

    ML: “Preciate ya.”

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    2 mins