NE Washington News

Congressman Brett Guthrie announced the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's support for the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which passed by a significant majority with a vote of 49 to 1. This legislation is aimed at curbing the dissemination of explicit AI-generated images that harass individuals.

Guthrie stated, "No man, woman, or child should be subjected to the spread of explicit AI images meant to target and harass innocent victims." He expressed gratitude for bipartisan support and anticipates the bill's advancement to the full House of Representatives.

First Lady Melania Trump also expressed her support, focusing on the bill's potential to protect children's well-being. She stated, "I urge Congress to swiftly pass this important legislation. Together, we can create a safer, brighter future for all Americans!"

Congressman Gus Bilirakis emphasized the bill's significance in protecting online exploitation victims and including AI-generated content in these protections. "Congress is showing its commitment to fighting 21st Century harms," Bilirakis mentioned.

The bill garnered support from affected individuals. Shannon Cronister-Heacock, who lost her son Elijah to an online extortion scheme, expressed her support, saying, "This bill honors Elijah’s life, and we are appreciative of Congress’ actions to protect children online and save lives."

Advocate Elliston Berry, a survivor of AI-generated image abuse, highlighted the significance of the milestone, stating, "Today is an important milestone towards that bill becoming law, so that no other girl has to go through what I went through without legal protections in place."

Francesca Mani, another advocate, declared, "Today, we celebrate a critical step toward the passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act into federal law," dedicating her efforts to others who faced similar challenges.

Dorota Mani, an educator and advocate, marked the passage as a victory for safeguarding against non-consensual AI-generated images. Andrea Powell from Alecto AI emphasized, "All survivors deserve protection and justice," underscoring the need for legislative measures to combat image-based sexual abuse.

The bill's advancement represents a significant effort to address online threats, with hopes for its passage through Congress and eventual enactment.