A bipartisan measure aimed at combating non-consensual deepfakes has hit an unexpected roadblock in the Republican-controlled House, despite garnering unanimous support in the Senate and backing from conservative lawmakers.
The DEFIANCE Act (Disrupt Explicit Forged Images And Non-Consensual Edits Act), led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, would establish a federal civil cause of action enabling victims of sexually explicit deepfakes to sue creators and distributors of fake intimate images produced without consent. The legislation allows victims to recover up to $250,000 in damages in cases involving sexual assault, stalking, or harassment.
After Ocasio-Cortez introduced the measure last year, the Senate passed it unanimously in January. Senator Dick Durbin, the bill’s Senate sponsor, praised the bipartisan effort at the time, highlighting Republican co-lead Senator Lindsey Graham’s involvement. Durbin also acknowledged that Ocasio-Cortez herself has been a victim of explicit deepfakes, commending her work to provide legal tools for others facing similar abuse.
The bill has attracted an unusual coalition of supporters, ranging from progressive Democrats to conservative Republicans and high-profile figures like Paris Hilton. Yet according to a report from Politico, the legislation remains stalled in the House amid concerns from some Republicans about handing the New York congresswoman a legislative win as she emerges as a potential contender for the 2028 presidential race.
Political Calculations Behind the Delay
Sources familiar with the bill’s progress expressed frustration over what they described as purely political considerations blocking its passage. “It’s a shame that this bill isn’t law because they are unwilling to give AOC a win,” one person working on the legislation told Politico. “When you look at it, everything is aligned for it to pass, except that they don’t want her to have this.”
Another source emphasized the human cost of the delay: “We’re depriving many, many people of the ability to set their lives right just to prevent one member of Congress from being able to pass a bill.”
Ocasio-Cortez has pointed to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan as responsible for the holdup. Speaking with The Independent earlier this month, she noted the bill’s unanimous Senate passage with Republican backing and suggested people “ask Jim Jordan” why it hasn’t advanced through committee.
House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Tuesday that he supports the legislation but indicated uncertainty about its current status in committee, according to Politico.
Related Legislation Moves Forward
The stalemate on the DEFIANCE Act stands in contrast to another recent measure addressing similar concerns. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed the bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act into law. That legislation, championed by first lady Melania Trump, criminalizes the non-consensual online distribution of intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes.
The key difference between the two measures lies in their approach: while the TAKE IT DOWN Act establishes criminal penalties, the DEFIANCE Act would create a civil pathway for victims to seek damages directly from perpetrators.
Presidential Ambitions in Focus
The reported concerns about Ocasio-Cortez’s political future aren’t entirely speculative. A recent New Hampshire primary poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center showed the Democratic representative leading a hypothetical 2028 Democratic presidential field with 22% support, narrowly ahead of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at 21%. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona placed third with 9%.
When asked about the poll results, Ocasio-Cortez offered a measured response: “You know polls are polls, and a horse race is a horse race. I am, of course, I think very deeply humbled and grateful to you know folks who participate and convey that confidence.”
The situation presents a political dilemma for House Republicans. By blocking legislation they reportedly support on its merits, they risk appearing to prioritize partisan calculations over addressing a problem that affects victims across the political spectrum. At the same time, allowing the bill to pass would hand Ocasio-Cortez a significant bipartisan achievement at a moment when she’s positioning herself for higher office.
As the debate continues, victims of non-consensual deepfakes remain without the federal civil recourse the DEFIANCE Act would provide, even as the technology to create such images becomes increasingly sophisticated and accessible.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/republicans-love-this-aoc-led-bill-but-they-dont-want-to-pass-it