Tim Scott

Republican South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott took to Fox News on Thursday to push a cryptocurrency bill opposed by a host of organizations opposed to human trafficking. Scott argued that the legislation should be passed by the Senate because it would help mothers.

The Senate, where Scott currently chairs the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, is currently considering the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which is meant to accelerate the use of cryptocurrency like bitcoin. Concerns have been raised that the Clarity Act would allow crypto companies and those who use cryptocurrencies to evade traditional government oversight, including people involved in human trafficking and illicit arms sales.

The law is backed by the crypto industry, who have been lavishing the Trump administration and other elected officials, from both parties, with campaign donations and support.

Appearing on Fox Business, Scott positioned the bill as a boon to mothers instead of big business and illegal industries.

“If you want single mothers to have more access to their resources immediately, you want cryptocurrency, digital assets, to blossom here at home in America,” Scott said.

While Senate Republicans largely back the bill, most Democrats have been opposed and it has been something of a tough sell even within the GOP. That is in large part due to opposition from law enforcement groups, religious groups, and organizers combatting human trafficking.

In June, the Alliance to End Human Trafficking—a coalition of faith leaders, anti-trafficking groups, survivors of human trafficking and others—sent a letter to the Senate leaders of both parties expressing concern over the Clarity Act.

“We support responsible innovation and recognize the promise of emerging financial technologies, but Congress must ensure that innovation is accompanied by strong safeguards that protect vulnerable people and prevent criminal abuse,” said Katie Boller Gosewisch, the group’s executive director, in a statement.

The National Sheriffs’ Association has also been in contact with the Senate to highlight “the legislation’s significant law enforcement and public safety risks.”

An analysis of the bill from the Center for American Progress published in July said the legislation would “effectively facilitate illicit transactions and undermine the United States’ ability to address them in the future by creating statutory loopholes that bind regulators’ hands.”

Democrats have also been opposed to the bill because Republicans have failed to include provisions that would prevent elected leaders from using their office to financially benefit from crypto. Since taking office, Trump has dubbed himself the crypto president and has used his position to rake in billions in unaccountable funds while also steering government enforcement and regulation of the industry.