Republicans Love This AOC-Led Bill, But They Don’t Want To Pass It

Republicans appear to support a bipartisan bill led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), but the legislation remains stalled amid reported concerns that giving the Democratic socialist a legislative victory could fuel her presidential ambitions.  

The DEFIANCE Act (Disrupt Explicit Forged Images And Non-Consensual Edits Act) would create a federal civil cause of action allowing victims of non-consensual sexually explicit deepfakes to sue those who create or distribute fake nude or sexual images without their consent. 

Under the bill, victims could recover up to $250,000 in damages in cases involving sexual assault, stalking, or harassment, earning support from leftists, conservative Republicans, and Hollywood figures such as Paris Hilton.

AOC first introduced the legislation last year. In January, the U.S. Senate passed it unanimously.

“I want to thank the Senate cosponsors of this legislation, including my Republican co-lead, Senator Lindsey Graham,” Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said at the time. “Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez herself is a publicly confessed victim of explicit deepfakes. I commend her for working to create tools for victims in the fight against this despicable crime.” 

Despite bipartisan support, the bill remains stalled in the Republican-led House. Politico reported Thursday that some Republicans worry passing AOC’s legislation could hand the New York congresswoman a political victory as she emerges as a potential 2028 presidential contender. 

“It’s a shame that this bill isn’t law because they are unwilling to give AOC a win,” one person working on the bill told the outlet. “When you look at it, everything is aligned for it to pass, except that they don’t want her to have this.”

“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,” another person said, according to Politico. 

Ocasio-Cortez has blamed the delay on House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH). Earlier this month, she told The Independent that the bill passed the Senate unanimously with Republican support, adding that people should “ask Jim Jordan” why it has yet to advance.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters Tuesday that he supports the legislation but was unsure of its status in committee, according to Politico. 

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed the bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act, championed by first lady Melania Trump, into law. The measure criminalizes the non-consensual online distribution of intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes.

The impasse comes days after a New Hampshire primary poll signaled an early shake-up in the 2028 Democratic presidential race, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) leading the field.

The Granite State Poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, shows the Democratic socialist leading the hypothetical Democratic field with 22% support, narrowly ahead of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at 21%. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) placed third with 9%. 

“You know polls are polls, and a horse race is a horse race,” AOC said in response. “I am, of course, I think very deeply humbled and grateful to you know folks who participate and convey that confidence.”

???????????? AOC on a poll showing her leading in a 2028 primary in New Hampshire:

“One is that 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.”

“I… pic.twitter.com/fSXAOC0AGO

— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) July 22, 2026