White House crypto adviser Patrick Witt responded to Thune’s remarks in an interview with CoinDesk on Thursday, arguing that the first week in August should still be open for potential Senate action. Witt said he was “perplexed” by Thune’s sentiment and that he’s “slightly more optimistic,” though he agreed that the bill is unlikely to get a final vote in July.

“There’s that first week of August that the Senate is in session,” Witt said in the interview with CoinDesk TV. “So I wouldn’t count it out.”

The midterm congressional elections are in November, and lawmakers are expected to use their summer break to campaign. The House of Representatives and Senate return for about three weeks in September, and if the Senate…