Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., praised the late Sen. Lindsey Graham for backing legislation that would allow victims of nonconsensual AI-generated deepfake pornography to file civil lawsuits.
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 it.
Graham, who died Saturday after seemingly suffering an aortic tear, was typically a political foe of the Democratic Socialist. The two disagreed vehemently on foreign policy, with Graham supporting a strong U.S. military presence around the world and Ocasio-Cortez frequently advocating for cuts to the defense budget.
KAGAN RECALLS LINDSEY GRAHAM'S VOTE THAT HELPED SEAL HER SUPREME COURT CONFIRMATION
Nonetheless, she said Graham was "instrumental" in getting the DEFIANCE Act through the Senate.
"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 in a brief interview with The Independent's Eric Michael Garcia outside the Capitol.
She added that the House version, which is substantively the same as the Senate version, has yet to advance past the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.
CHRIS HANSEN URGES PARENTS TO TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT ONLINE PREDATORS BEFORE ALLOWING INTERNET ACCESS
"So when it comes to the House, I think we just gotta ask Jim Jordan," Ocasio-Cortez said.
The legislative record shows that the DEFIANCE Act was referred to the House Judiciary Committee on May 21, 2025, the same day Ocasio-Cortez introduced the measure.
Fox News Digital reached out to Jordan and Hawley's offices for comment.
The bill, if passed, would allow victims who have been nonconsensually depicted in AI deepfake porn to file civil actions in federal district court.
If a victim wins their case, a court could award punitive damages or other forms of relief, including a temporary restraining order or an injunction requiring the defendant to delete, destroy, or stop displaying or disclosing the material.
The bill would allow victims to recover $150,000 in liquidated damages, or $250,000 if the conduct was connected to actual or attempted sexual assault, stalking or harassment, or directly caused such conduct.
