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The House voted 409-2 to pass the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a bill establishing federal criminal penalties for sharing private intimate images and AI-generated deepfakes without consent.
The TAKE IT DOWN Act (S. 146) addresses the unauthorized distribution of private, intimate images, often called 'revenge porn,' as well as the rise of AI-generated 'deepfakes.' The bill makes it a federal crime to knowingly share these images or videos without the subject's permission, specifically when intended to cause harm, harassment, or emotional distress. It provides victims with a legal path to hold perpetrators accountable for the significant reputational and financial damage such content can cause. This vote was conducted under a procedure known as 'suspension of the rules.' This is a fast-track process used for bills with broad support, allowing the House to bypass certain procedural hurdles. To pass under this method, a bill requires a two-thirds majority (about 67%) rather than a simple majority. The bill passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority, far exceeding the required threshold. Because it has since been signed into law, the protections are now part of federal criminal code. The result represents a major effort to create a consistent federal standard for digital safety and privacy.
The bill has been signed by the President and is now Public Law No: 119-12.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This law provides a federal framework to address digital exploitation and AI-generated harm, filling gaps in existing state laws and offering federal prosecution options for victims.
Who’s affected. Victims of digital exploitation: Now have federal legal protections and a path to prosecution against those who share their private images without consent. · Law enforcement: Empowered with new federal authority to investigate and charge individuals distributing nonconsensual intimate content or deepfakes. · Online platforms: Likely to update moderation policies to comply with new federal criminal standards regarding nonconsensual imagery.
Democrats. The Democratic caucus was split on the measure, with 95 members voting in favor and 112 voting against.
Republicans. Republicans overwhelmingly supported the bill, with 208 members voting in favor and only one voting against.
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Apr 28, 2025
The House voted 409-2 to pass the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a bill establishing federal criminal penalties for sharing private intimate images and AI-generated deepfakes without consent.
This vote used a 'suspension of the rules,' a common shortcut for bills with wide support. This method requires a higher two-thirds majority to pass but allows for faster consideration.
The bill has been signed by the President and is now Public Law No: 119-12.
This law provides a federal framework to address digital exploitation and AI-generated harm, filling gaps in existing state laws and offering federal prosecution options for victims.
The bill saw near-unanimous support from Republicans and a significant split within the Democratic caucus, though it comfortably cleared the supermajority threshold.
The Democratic caucus was split on the measure, with 95 members voting in favor and 112 voting against.
Republicans overwhelmingly supported the bill, with 208 members voting in favor and only one voting against.
One independent member voted in favor of the bill.