Two weeks after Richard Shelby opposed a crypto-friendly amendment to the infrastructure bill, crypto enthusiasts are yet to forgive the Alabama senator. In a rather interesting turn of events, the Fight for the Future group has put up a billboard targeting the Shelby.
The billboard bold accesses Shelby of failing to protect the “basic freedoms” of cryptocurrency users in the United States.
Recall that in early August, the non-profit advocacy group developed a dashboard that allowed crypto users to call their Senators. The digital rights group also trended the “#DontKillCrypto” campaign.
Accountability is sweet. #DontKillCrypto would have won essential protections for small developers if @SenShelby hadn't betrayed us on the Senate floor. This billboard went up in Birmingham thanks to small #crypto donations at https://t.co/7pOsqkYtgy pic.twitter.com/lUjcjz32Vz— Fight for the Future (@fightfortheftr) August 25, 2021
As reported by BTC PEERS, the 87-year-old lawmaker drew the wrath of the crypto community after his sole objection killed the possibility of a crypto-friendly amendment to the harmful cryptocurrency tax provision of the infrastructure bill.
During a voting session, Shelby opposed two amendments to the bill, requesting an additional $50 billion in defense spending before endorsing the bill. Due to his actions, the original infrastructure bill was passed by the Senate, ensnaring the industry with a vague definition of the term “broker.”
In a bid to save face, Shelby later tweeted that he was in support of the amendment but chose the country’s security over innovation. Needless to say that his $50 billion defense spending request was also shot down.
I supported @SenToomey cryptocurrency amdt. I know of its importance to innovation & job creation, but I believe it pales in comparison to the security of our nation–which is why I called for a vote on my defense infrastructure amdt. It's unfortunate that Dems blocked both amdts.— Richard Shelby (@SenShelby) August 10, 2021