DEFIANCE Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/s/1837
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

Sponsored by

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

ID: D000563

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Held at the desk.

January 13, 2026

Introduced

📍 Current Status

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

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed Senate

🏛️

House Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 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.

Related Topics

Transportation & Infrastructure Federal Budget & Appropriations Small Business & Entrepreneurship Government Operations & Accountability National Security & Intelligence State & Local Government Affairs Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Congressional Rules & Procedures Civil Rights & Liberties
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

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

Congress 119 • 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
PAC ARLINGTON, VA
$3,833
Oct 15, 2024
2
CATAWBA INDIAN NATION
Organization ROCK HILL, SC
$3,300
May 21, 2024
3
BEVERLY B GROSSMAN TRUST
Organization ENCINO, CA
$1,550
Jul 12, 2024
4
BELL FAMILY TRUST
Organization INDIAN WELLS, CA
$1,000
Mar 1, 2024
5
BEVERLY B GROSSMAN TRUST
Organization ENCINO, CA
$230
Oct 2, 2024
6
BEVERLY B GROSSMAN TRUST
Organization ENCINO, CA
$200
Jul 30, 2024
7
BEVERLY B GROSSMAN TRUST
Organization ENCINO, CA
$150
Aug 14, 2024
8
ALFRED SEYMOUR BASSLER TR
RETIRED RETIRED
Organization WOODBINE, MD
$100
Jul 26, 2024
9
ALFRED SEYMOUR BASSLER TR
RETIRED RETIRED
Organization WOODBINE, MD
$100
Jul 26, 2024
10
BEVERLY B GROSSMAN TRUST
Organization ENCINO, CA
$100
Jul 30, 2024

Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

ID: K000367

Top Contributors

10

1
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE
Organization CASS LAKE, MN
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Aug 25, 2023
3
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
Organization DURANT, OK
$2,500
Oct 7, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$2,300
Jul 17, 2023
5
ARISTOTLE INTERNATIONAL
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
Organization WASHINGTON, DC
$500
Jul 19, 2024
6
SMITH, BRADFORD
MICROSOFT CORPORATION ATTORNEY
Individual BELLEVUE, WA
$6,600
Mar 30, 2023
7
SMITH, BRADFORD
Individual BELLEVUE, WA
$6,600
Mar 30, 2023
8
BADEN, DREW
PROFESSOR UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Individual BETHESDA, MD
$6,600
Feb 23, 2024
9
CAUCHY, CONSTANCE
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual MIDLAND, MI
$6,600
Jun 2, 2024
10
BADEN, DREW
Individual BETHESDA, MD
$6,600
Mar 11, 2024

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

ID: K000383

Top Contributors

10

1
REPUBLICAN WOMEN OF ST. MARY'S COUNTY
Organization ST. MARY'S CITY, MD
$750
Sep 25, 2024
2
2120 SEA ISLAND LLC
Organization RIVER FOREST, IL
$3,300
Oct 26, 2023
3
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
May 22, 2024
4
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$2,000
Mar 29, 2024
5
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$1,300
May 22, 2024
6
BROTT, DALE
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual UNIONTOWN, OH
$3,300
Jan 27, 2024
7
BROTT, WENDY
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual UNIONTOWN, OH
$3,300
Jan 27, 2024
8
LEWIS, TOPPER
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual JUPITER, FL
$3,300
Oct 3, 2024
9
KEITH, DEMATTEIS
ACCOUNTANT SELF-EMPLOYED
Individual MANHASSET, NY
$2,113
Jun 10, 2024
10
DALE, BROTT
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual UNIONTOWN, OH
$2,000
Sep 25, 2024

Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]

ID: L000577

Top Contributors

10

1
NATIONAL STONE SAND & GRAVEL ASSOCIATION ROCKPAC
PAC ALEXANDRIA, VA
$5,000
Jun 13, 2023
2
THE EYE OF THE TIGER POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
PAC ARLINGTON, VA
$5,000
Jun 13, 2023
3
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$5,000
Jun 30, 2023
4
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES ACEC PAC
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$4,000
Jun 30, 2023
5
CULAC THE PAC OF CREDIT UNION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$3,500
Jun 30, 2023
6
NATIONAL PORK PRODUCERS COUNCIL PORK PAC
PAC DES MOINES, IA
$2,500
Jun 13, 2023
7
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS--
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$2,500
Jun 14, 2023
8
AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION PAC
PAC ALEXANDRIA, VA
$2,500
Jun 28, 2023
9
BRADLEY ARANT BOULT CUMMINGS FEDERAL PAC
PAC BIRMINGHAM, AL
$2,500
Jun 28, 2023
10
THE HOME DEPOT INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$2,500
Jun 29, 2023

Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

ID: H001046

Top Contributors

10

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

Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

ID: W000800

Top Contributors

10

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 8, 2023
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
May 3, 2024
3
FIELD, MARSHALL
THE OLD MOUNTAIN COMPANY, INC. EXECUTIVE
Individual CHICAGO, IL
$3,300
May 18, 2023
4
RECHNITZ, JOAN
Individual RED BANK, NJ
$3,300
Apr 22, 2024
5
RECHNITZ, JOAN
Individual RED BANK, NJ
$3,300
Apr 22, 2024
6
GORDON, PATRICIA
SELF MD
Individual LOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
May 22, 2024
7
STILLER, ROBERT
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual PALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Sep 22, 2024
8
STILLER, ROBERT
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual PALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Sep 22, 2024
9
KALKUT, CRAIG
WEST FRONT STRATEGIES GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$2,500
May 3, 2023
10
SCHWARTZ, MARTIN
MINILEC SERVICE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
Individual CARMEL, CA
$2,000
May 18, 2023

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

ID: S000148

Top Contributors

10

1
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
Organization MARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Mar 21, 2024
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 2, 2023
4
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
Organization DURANT, OK
$550
Sep 27, 2023
5
MARES, JAN
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$3,500
Dec 6, 2024
6
MEZZALINGUA, JOHN
JMA CEO
Individual SKANEATELES, NY
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
7
RIKLIS, MARCIA
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual EAST HAMPTON, NY
$3,300
Dec 15, 2023
8
EISENSTADT, STEVEN
CUMBERLAND PACKING CORP. EXECUTIVE
Individual BROOKLYN, NY
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
9
MEZZALINGUA, JOHN
JMA CEO
Individual SKANEATELES, NY
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
10
EISENSTADT, STEVEN
CUMBERLAND PACKING CORP. EXECUTIVE
Individual BROOKLYN, NY
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023

Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]

ID: H001089

Top Contributors

10

1
R&W TOWING & RECOVERY
Organization ST JOSEPH, MO
$3,300
Sep 18, 2024
2
SOUTHERN MISSOURI REAL ESTATE LLC
Organization AURORA, MO
$1,000
Jun 28, 2023
3
ST LOUIS CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP PAC
Organization CHESTERFIELD, MO
$914
Oct 31, 2024
4
MARK FAUGHN CONSTRUCTION LLC
Organization POPLAR BLUFF, MO
$250
May 22, 2023
5
SCHELL, MARK CHRISTOPHER
DIAMOND PET FOOD MANAGER
Individual LOHMAN, MO
$13,200
Apr 13, 2023
6
CARR, GEORGE T.
THE DURHAM CO MANAGEMENT
Individual SPRINGFIELD, MO
$12,200
Apr 21, 2023
7
RUSSELL, DOUG MR.
DURHAM COMPANY PRESIDENT
Individual LEBANON, MO
$7,400
Apr 21, 2023
8
SHELTON, GREGORY P. MR.
SHELTON WHOLESALE OWNER
Individual EAGLEVILLE, MO
$6,600
Mar 11, 2024
9
WALDEN, MICHAEL
SHOOK HARDY BACON ATTORNEY
Individual MISSION HILLS, KS
$6,600
Mar 31, 2023
10
WILLARD, BRADLEY
WILLARD ASPHALT PAVING PRESIDENT
Individual LEBANON, 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 35 nodes and 38 connections

Total contributions: $142,033

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

Showing top 15 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs13 Individuals