Senate Banking Committee Chair Sherrod Brown (D-OH) anticipates strong bipartisan support for the revised Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act, scheduled for a committee markup next week. Despite some concerns, he expects a “decisive” approval by a “strong majority.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer plans to attach amendments related to state-level cannabis expungements and gun rights for medical cannabis patients, but Brown doesn’t foresee many other changes.
There’s a possible amendment related to a “credit card bank issue,” though specifics are unclear. While lawmakers reached an agreement on the SAFER Banking Act, some concerns linger. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) has raised issues with Section 10 of the bill, designed to prevent discriminatory enforcement against controversial industries like firearms. This might lead to proposed amendments during the markup.
Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) is satisfied with recent revisions to the bill, emphasizing its protection for firearm and energy companies in Montana. He’s open to expungement provisions. Daines and Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) introduced a bill preventing federal agencies from rescheduling cannabis without Congress’s approval, aiming to advance banking regulatory protections for their state’s businesses.
Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) supports the SAFER Banking Act to provide legal cannabis businesses with banking access, emphasizing Nevada’s experience in regulating the industry. On the opposing side, the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) opposes the legislation, arguing it would enable banks to handle illegal marijuana proceeds, potentially setting a precedent for other illegal industries. They urge constituents to contact their representatives to oppose the bill due to concerns about increased negative consequences of marijuana proliferation.
By FCCT Editorial Team
, an independent military force, and allied militias in Sudan raped several dozen women and girls in West Darfur’s capital, El Geneina, and those fleeing to Chad between late April and late June 2023, Human Rights Watch said today. The assailants appear to have targeted people because of their Massalit ethnicity and, in some cases, because they were known activists.){kind=link}