Congress has an opportunity to establish clear rules for digital assets through the CLARITY Act. That's a worthwhile goal. But before lawmakers move forward, they need to close a dangerous loophole that could undermine America's national security.

After Sept. 11, the United States developed one of the strongest financial intelligence systems. Anti-money laundering laws, know-your-customer requirements, and sanctions enforcement have helped law enforcement track terrorist financing, disrupt criminal organizations, and expose hostile foreign governments. Those tools work because they follow the money.

Unfortunately, they only work if everyone moving money plays by the same rules.

Today, rogue nations like North Korea, Iran, and Russia increasingly depend on cryptocurrency to evade sanctions, finance weapons programs, and move illicit funds globally. Instead of strengthening our defenses, the CLARITY Act would exempt some of the highest-risk digital asset platforms from Treasury oversight and future anti-money laundering rules.

Idaho has long been represented by leaders who understand the importance of a strong national defense. That's why I hope Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch will work to ensure the CLARITY Act does not pass the Senate.

Congress can support innovation while maintaining strong safeguards against money laundering, sanctions evasion and terrorist financing. Those goals are not mutually exclusive.

As the Senate considers this legislation, our senators should insist that digital asset platforms are held to the same anti-money laundering standards as traditional financial institutions. America's adversaries shouldn't be given a new way to hide illicit funds, and Idaho's senators have an opportunity to help prevent it.

Richard Strickland, Meridian