DEFIANCE Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/s/1837
Last Updated: January 14, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

ID: D000563

Follow the money

The bill

DEFIANCE Act of 2025

S. 1837, 119th Congress β€” read as touching Big Tech Platforms.

The sponsor

Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$73,500 raised

23 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Held at the desk.

January 12, 2026

Introduced

πŸ“ Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

πŸ›οΈ

Committee Review

πŸ—³οΈ

Floor Action

βœ…

Passed Senate

πŸ›οΈ

House Review

πŸŽ‰

Passed Congress

πŸ–ŠοΈ

Presidential Action

βš–οΈ

Became Law

πŸ“š How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another bill from the esteemed members of Congress, because what's more entertaining than watching politicians try to tackle complex issues with all the finesse of a drunken elephant?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The DEFIANCE Act of 2025 aims to address the scourge of non-consensual intimate digital forgeries (deepfakes) by providing relief to affected individuals. Or, in other words, Congress is trying to appear concerned about the well-being of citizens while actually doing very little.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends existing law to include "intimate digital forgeries" as a form of image-based sexual abuse. It also expands the definition of an "identifiable individual" and introduces new language to address the creation and dissemination of deepfakes. Because, you know, labeling something as "fake" is totally going to stop people from creating and sharing it.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** Victims of non-consensual intimate digital forgeries (because who doesn't love a good victim-blaming exercise?), tech companies, social media platforms, and anyone with an internet connection. Oh, and let's not forget the politicians who get to grandstand about this issue while doing nothing meaningful.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill will likely have all the impact of a feather in a hurricane. It might provide some minor relief to victims, but it won't address the root causes of the problem or hold anyone accountable for creating and sharing deepfakes. Meanwhile, tech companies will continue to profit from the spread of misinformation, and politicians will get to pat themselves on the back for "doing something" about the issue.

Diagnosis: This bill is a classic case of "Legislative Theateritis," where politicians pretend to address a complex issue while actually doing nothing meaningful. The symptoms include:

* Overly broad language that won't be enforced * Lack of clear definitions and standards * Failure to address root causes or hold anyone accountable * Politicians grandstanding about the issue while doing nothing

Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism, a strong stomach for bureaucratic nonsense, and a willingness to call out politicians on their empty promises.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

πŸ’° Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

Congress 119 β€’ 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$73,500
15 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$3,500
Committees
$0
Individuals
$70,000

No PAC contributions found

1
MIAMI TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
2 transactions
$2,500
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
KUJAWSKI, JOHN
4 transactions
$17,200
2
BARKER, MARA MILLS
2 transactions
$6,600
3
CASHMAN, JAY M.
2 transactions
$6,600
4
GRANIERI, ROBERT
2 transactions
$6,600
5
ARNOLD, JOHN
2 transactions
$6,600
6
CHOWDHURY, SHUVRO
1 transaction
$3,300
7
COHN, RANDY
1 transaction
$3,300
8
MAESE, TIMOTHY
1 transaction
$3,300
9
THOMPSON, TIMOTHY
1 transaction
$3,300
10
FALLS, AMY
1 transaction
$3,300
11
ROGERS, HARTLEY
1 transaction
$3,300
12
EYCHANER, FRED
1 transaction
$3,300
13
BUEHLHORN, MICHAEL
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 8 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]

ID: G000359

Top Contributors

10

1
WINRED PAC
PACARLINGTON, VA
$3,833
Oct 15, 2024
2
CATAWBA INDIAN NATION
OrganizationROCK HILL, SC
$3,300
May 21, 2024
3
BEVERLY B GROSSMAN TRUST
OrganizationENCINO, CA
$1,550
Jul 12, 2024
4
BELL FAMILY TRUST
OrganizationINDIAN WELLS, CA
$1,000
Mar 1, 2024
5
BEVERLY B GROSSMAN TRUST
OrganizationENCINO, CA
$230
Oct 2, 2024
6
BEVERLY B GROSSMAN TRUST
OrganizationENCINO, CA
$200
Jul 30, 2024
7
BEVERLY B GROSSMAN TRUST
OrganizationENCINO, CA
$150
Aug 14, 2024
8
ALFRED SEYMOUR BASSLER TR
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
OrganizationWOODBINE, MD
$100
Jul 26, 2024
9
ALFRED SEYMOUR BASSLER TR
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
OrganizationWOODBINE, MD
$100
Jul 26, 2024
10
BEVERLY B GROSSMAN TRUST
OrganizationENCINO, CA
$100
Jul 30, 2024

Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

ID: K000367

Top Contributors

10

1
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE
OrganizationCASS LAKE, MN
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Aug 25, 2023
3
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$2,500
Oct 7, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$2,300
Jul 17, 2023
5
ARISTOTLE INTERNATIONAL
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC
$500
Jul 19, 2024
6
SMITH, BRADFORD
MICROSOFT CORPORATION β€’ ATTORNEY
IndividualBELLEVUE, WA
$6,600
Mar 30, 2023
7
SMITH, BRADFORD
IndividualBELLEVUE, WA
$6,600
Mar 30, 2023
8
BADEN, DREW
PROFESSOR β€’ UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
IndividualBETHESDA, MD
$6,600
Feb 23, 2024
9
CAUCHY, CONSTANCE
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualMIDLAND, MI
$6,600
Jun 2, 2024
10
BADEN, DREW
IndividualBETHESDA, MD
$6,600
Mar 11, 2024

Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

ID: K000383

Top Contributors

10

1
2120 SEA ISLAND LLC
OrganizationRIVER FOREST, IL
$3,300
Oct 26, 2023
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$3,300
May 22, 2024
3
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$2,000
Mar 29, 2024
4
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$1,300
May 22, 2024
5
SMITH, BRAD
MICROSOFT CORPORATION β€’ ATTORNEY
IndividualBELLEVUE, WA
$6,600
Feb 13, 2024
6
SMITH, BRAD
IndividualBELLEVUE, WA
$6,600
Feb 20, 2024
7
DOWNEY, NANCY A.
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$5,000
Sep 4, 2024
8
DOWNEY, NANCY A.
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$5,000
Aug 31, 2024
9
OTTEN, LESLIE B.
AMERICAN SKIING COMPANY β€’ OWNER
IndividualBETHEL, ME
$5,000
Oct 4, 2024
10
BEKENSTEIN, ANITA
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualWAYLAND, MA
$3,300
Oct 24, 2024

Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]

ID: L000577

Top Contributors

10

1
MACRICOSTAS, GEORGE
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualINCLINE VILLAGE, NV
$13,200
May 14, 2024
2
PFAUTCH, ROY
CIVIC SERVICE β€’ CONSULTANT
IndividualSAINT LOUIS, MO
$9,900
Feb 20, 2024
3
NICOLAISEN, JAMES E
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualPORTLAND, OR
$8,700
Jul 19, 2024
4
METZGER, WILLIAM
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualBOONVILLE, IN
$8,700
Jul 23, 2024
5
S., TINA
SELF β€’ RESTAURANT
IndividualMAUREPAS, LA
$8,700
Sep 10, 2024
6
DE CARLI, JAMES
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualDANA POINT, CA
$8,700
Aug 10, 2024
7
EDWARDS, ZELLA
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualCHAMBERSBURG, PA
$8,700
Sep 10, 2024
8
RICHARDSON, CHERYL
GRANITE SCHOOL DISTRICT β€’ PARAEDUCATOR
IndividualSLC, UT
$8,700
Jul 9, 2024
9
DONADIO, RICHARD
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualDACULA, GA
$8,700
Aug 13, 2024
10
ZALL, MARGIE
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualBOYNTON BEACH, FL
$8,700
Sep 19, 2024

Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

ID: H001046

Top Contributors

10

1
JSTREETPAC
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Apr 19, 2024
2
SAN PABLO LYTTON TRIBE
OrganizationSAN PABLO, CA
$21,600
Oct 5, 2023
3
PUEBLO OF LAGUNA
OrganizationLAGUNA, NM
$5,800
Sep 30, 2024
4
PUEBLO OF SAN ILDEFONSO
OrganizationSANTA FE, NM
$5,000
Oct 30, 2024
5
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$5,000
Oct 23, 2024
6
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$5,000
Dec 5, 2023
7
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$5,000
Oct 15, 2024
8
SAN PABLO LYTTON TRIBE
OrganizationSAN PABLO, CA
$3,962
May 10, 2024
9
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
10
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationSHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024

Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

ID: W000800

Top Contributors

10

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 8, 2023
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
May 3, 2024
3
FIELD, MARSHALL
THE OLD MOUNTAIN COMPANY, INC. β€’ EXECUTIVE
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
May 18, 2023
4
RECHNITZ, JOAN
IndividualRED BANK, NJ
$3,300
Apr 22, 2024
5
RECHNITZ, JOAN
IndividualRED BANK, NJ
$3,300
Apr 22, 2024
6
GORDON, PATRICIA
SELF β€’ MD
IndividualLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
May 22, 2024
7
STILLER, ROBERT
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualPALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Sep 22, 2024
8
STILLER, ROBERT
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualPALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Sep 22, 2024
9
KALKUT, CRAIG
WEST FRONT STRATEGIES β€’ GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$2,500
May 3, 2023
10
SCHWARTZ, MARTIN
MINILEC SERVICE β€’ CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
IndividualCARMEL, CA
$2,000
May 18, 2023

Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]

ID: S000148

Top Contributors

10

1
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Mar 21, 2024
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 2, 2023
4
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$550
Sep 27, 2023
5
MARES, JAN
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,500
Dec 6, 2024
6
MEZZALINGUA, JOHN
JMA β€’ CEO
IndividualSKANEATELES, NY
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
7
RIKLIS, MARCIA
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualEAST HAMPTON, NY
$3,300
Dec 15, 2023
8
EISENSTADT, STEVEN
CUMBERLAND PACKING CORP. β€’ EXECUTIVE
IndividualBROOKLYN, NY
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
9
MEZZALINGUA, JOHN
JMA β€’ CEO
IndividualSKANEATELES, NY
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
10
EISENSTADT, STEVEN
CUMBERLAND PACKING CORP. β€’ EXECUTIVE
IndividualBROOKLYN, NY
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023

Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]

ID: H001089

Top Contributors

10

1
R&W TOWING & RECOVERY
OrganizationST JOSEPH, MO
$3,300
Sep 18, 2024
2
SOUTHERN MISSOURI REAL ESTATE LLC
OrganizationAURORA, MO
$1,000
Jun 28, 2023
3
ST LOUIS CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP PAC
OrganizationCHESTERFIELD, MO
$914
Oct 31, 2024
4
MARK FAUGHN CONSTRUCTION LLC
OrganizationPOPLAR BLUFF, MO
$250
May 22, 2023
5
SCHELL, MARK CHRISTOPHER
DIAMOND PET FOOD β€’ MANAGER
IndividualLOHMAN, MO
$13,200
Apr 13, 2023
6
CARR, GEORGE T.
THE DURHAM CO β€’ MANAGEMENT
IndividualSPRINGFIELD, MO
$12,200
Apr 21, 2023
7
RUSSELL, DOUG MR.
DURHAM COMPANY β€’ PRESIDENT
IndividualLEBANON, MO
$7,400
Apr 21, 2023
8
SHELTON, GREGORY P. MR.
SHELTON WHOLESALE β€’ OWNER
IndividualEAGLEVILLE, MO
$6,600
Mar 11, 2024
9
WALDEN, MICHAEL
SHOOK HARDY BACON β€’ ATTORNEY
IndividualMISSION HILLS, KS
$6,600
Mar 31, 2023
10
WILLARD, BRADLEY
WILLARD ASPHALT PAVING β€’ PRESIDENT
IndividualLEBANON, MO
$6,600
Mar 31, 2023

Donor Network - Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 53 nodes and 38 connections (52 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $160,083

Top Donors - Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

Showing top 15 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs13 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 harmed.

  • Section 3(b)(1)(A) implies that big tech platforms may be liable for damages if they knowingly disclose or solicit intimate digital forgeries without consent, which could increase their legal and regulatory costs.

  • Section 3(b)(1)(A) mentions 'using any means or facility of interstate or foreign commerce', which could include telecommunications services, potentially increasing their liability for facilitating the disclosure of intimate digital forgeries.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022–present cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β€” they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.

Industries this bill HARMS

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