House Committee to Vote on Codifying Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

The House Financial Services Committee will hold a markup and vote on H.R. 8957, the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The legislation aims to codify a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve into federal law, shifting the initiative from a reversible executive order to a permanent statutory mandate.

If passed by the committee, the bill advances to the full House floor. The proposed law mandates a minimum 20-year hold on all Bitcoin within the reserve, with the sole exception being sales specifically designated to pay down the national debt. Under the terms of the ARMA bill, the U.S. government would target the accumulation of up to 1 million Bitcoin over five years, utilizing a proposed acquisition rate of up to 200,000 BTC annually.

Legislative Evolution

The concept of a strategic reserve was first implemented in March 2025 via Executive Order 14233. Because executive orders are subject to revocation by subsequent administrations, lawmakers sought a more durable legal foundation. Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK) introduced the ARMA bill, co-led by Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), to ensure the reserve remains a permanent fixture of U.S. policy regardless of changes in the White House.

Currently, the U.S. government holds approximately 328,372 BTC, primarily acquired through seizures from various criminal cases. The ARMA bill would transition these seized assets and future purchases into a formal national reserve.

Market and Policy Implications

Codifying the reserve signals a fundamental shift in U.S. monetary policy by treating Bitcoin as a formal national reserve asset. The strict 20-year lockup period would significantly reduce the liquid supply of Bitcoin available on the open market, potentially altering market scarcity and price dynamics. Furthermore, the bill establishes a high standard for government digital asset custody and transparency, requiring quarterly audits to maintain accountability.

Next Steps

Observers are watching the September 16 committee vote to see if the bill gains enough traction to reach the House floor. While the target of 1 million BTC is clear, the specific funding mechanisms for these acquisitions remain a point of focus. If the bill passes both chambers and is signed into law, it would mark the first time the reserve concept has moved from an executive directive into a binding legislative process.