Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., offered rare praise to late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., for his work on legislation that would allow victims of nonconsensual AI-generated deepfake pornography to file civil lawsuits. Graham died Saturday after apparently suffering an aortic tear.
The DEFIANCE Act, a bill Ocasio-Cortez and Graham collaborated on, passed the Senate in January by unanimous consent with Paris Hilton previously speaking in support of the measure. The legislation would allow victims who have been nonconsensually depicted in AI deepfake pornography to file civil actions in federal district court.
What the Right Is Saying
Graham was typically a political foe of Ocasio-Cortez, with the two disagreeing vehemently on foreign policy. Graham supported a strong U.S. military presence around the world, while Ocasio-Cortez frequently advocated for cuts to the defense budget.
However, conservative backers of the legislation have framed it as protecting families and victims from technological exploitation. The bill's civil remedies approach has drawn support from those who argue it provides a pathway for justice without overreaching government intervention.
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairs the House Judiciary Committee where the companion measure currently sits. Fox News Digital reached out to Jordan's office for comment on advancing the legislation.
What the Left Is Saying
Ocasio-Cortez described Graham as instrumental in securing bipartisan support for the bill, despite their typical political disagreements. In an interview with The Independent's Eric Michael Garcia outside the Capitol, she said both Graham and Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., were essential in advancing the legislation.
"Senator Graham and Senator Hawley as well were instrumental in securing bipartisan support for this legislation to protect kids, women, everyone from nonconsensual AI-developed porn," Ocasio-Cortez said.
Progressive advocates have emphasized that AI-generated deepfake pornography disproportionately affects women and minors. The bill represents a rare area of agreement between progressive Democrats and conservative Republicans on protecting victims of technology-facilitated abuse.
What the Numbers Show
The DEFIANCE Act was referred to the House Judiciary Committee on May 21, 2025, the same day Ocasio-Cortez introduced the House version of the measure. The Senate version passed unanimously in January with a voice vote under unanimous consent.
If enacted, the bill would allow victims to recover $150,000 in liquidated damages for nonconsensual deepfake pornography. That amount increases to $250,000 if the conduct was connected to actual or attempted sexual assault, stalking, or harassment, or directly caused such conduct. Courts could also award punitive damages and issue temporary restraining orders requiring defendants to delete or destroy the material.
The bill would apply to victims depicted in AI-generated deepfake content regardless of whether the depicted person is a minor or adult.
The Bottom Line
Ocasio-Cortez has called on House leadership, specifically pointing to Jordan as key to advancing the legislation. "So when it comes to the House, I think we just gotta ask Jim Jordan," she said.
The bill's passage in the Senate with bipartisan support demonstrates rare cooperation between parties on AI regulation. The stalled House version reflects broader challenges in moving technology-related legislation through a divided Congress. What happens next will depend on whether House Republican leadership prioritizes the measure for floor consideration.