The U.S. House Financial Services Committee is set to mark up the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026 on Wednesday, September 16, potentially advancing one of Congress’s most consequential efforts yet to formalise the federal government’s Bitcoin reserve policy.
H.R. 8957 is among the measures scheduled for consideration during a full committee markup beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET. The bill was introduced in May and referred to the Financial Services Committee. A favourable committee vote would allow the legislation to be reported to the full House of Representatives, although that would not guarantee a floor vote or eventual passage.
Bill Would Create a Statutory Bitcoin Reserve
H.R. 8957 would formally establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve within the Treasury Department alongside a separate Digital Asset Stockpile for federally controlled non-Bitcoin crypto assets. Under the proposal, qualifying Bitcoin held by the federal government, including assets obtained through forfeiture proceedings, could be consolidated into the reserve. Bitcoin placed in the reserve would generally be subject to a minimum 20-year holding period rather than being routinely sold.
The legislation would also introduce greater transparency around federal digital asset holdings. Treasury would be required to provide recurring reports detailing Bitcoin held by the government, while independent verification and congressional oversight provisions would strengthen accountability around the reserve. Federal agencies would also be required to provide Treasury with information on Bitcoin and other digital assets under their control. Importantly, the measure does not require the government to immediately purchase a large amount of Bitcoin with taxpayer funds. Instead, it directs Treasury and the Commerce Department to examine budget-neutral strategies that could potentially increase the reserve without new taxes, borrowing or deficit spending.
Congress Could Make Trump’s Bitcoin Reserve Policy More Durable
The legislation would build on President Donald Trump’s March 6, 2025 executive order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a separate U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile. That executive order directed that Bitcoin transferred into the reserve through criminal or civil forfeiture generally should not be sold, while authorising Treasury and Commerce officials to explore budget-neutral methods of acquiring additional Bitcoin. Passing similar provisions into federal law would make the framework considerably harder for a future administration to reverse. An executive order can be amended or rescinded by a subsequent president, whereas changing a statutory Strategic Bitcoin Reserve would generally require further congressional action.
Wednesday’s markup is therefore more significant than a symbolic committee hearing. Approval would move the proposal further into the legislative process and provide an early indication of congressional support for making the U.S. government’s Bitcoin holdings a permanent strategic asset. If the Financial Services Committee approves H.R. 8957, the next major question will be whether House leadership brings the bill to the floor for a vote.