Republicans for Stalling a Bipartisan Bill That Would Allow Victims to File Civil Suits Against Perpetrators, Calling the Blockage a Slap

Sabrina Javellana, 28, a former Florida local politics worker who was targeted in 2021, said the hold-up on the DEFIANCE Act, introduced by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and co-sponsored by Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL), is “petty” and not about boosting the lawmaker’s profile.

The bill, which passed the Senate unanimously in January, would let victims sue those who produce, distribute, or solicit nonconsensual deepfake pornography. Paris Hilton, who says over 100,000 deepfake images of her exist online, told The Independent there is “no legitimate policy reason” for the delay. The number of deepfakes has surged from about 500,000 in 2023 to 8 million in 2025, with 99 percent targeting women. Ocasio-Cortez said she would welcome first lady Melania Trump’s support, adding, I don’t think that we should be emboldening child pornographers and helping abusers just because of some personal beef.