Full Breakdown
High-Profile Advocacy Day at Capitol Hill
1/22/2026, 10:44:23 PM
Key Events on Capitol Hill
On Thursday, notable figures including hotel heiress Paris Hilton and reality TV star Angie Katsanevas, known as "Angie K" from "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City," are set to appear at the U.S. Capitol. Their visits coincide with former special counsel Jack Smith's public testimony regarding his investigations into President Donald Trump. Hilton will participate in a news conference alongside Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Laurel Lee (R-Fla.) to advocate for the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits (DEFIANCE) Act. This legislation, which recently passed the Senate unanimously, aims to empower victims of nonconsensual deepfake pornography to sue those responsible for creating and distributing such content.
Katsanevas will testify at a House Small Business Committee hearing titled “Local Ownership, National Brands: How Franchising is a Pathway to Entrepreneurship.” As the founder of the franchised salon brand Lunatic Fringe, she will advocate for policies that support the franchise business model.
Background on Advocacy Efforts
Paris Hilton has previously engaged with legislative efforts, notably advocating for youth welfare legislation that was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2024. Her continued involvement in policy discussions highlights her transition from a celebrity figure to an active participant in social advocacy.
Official Statements & Responses
In her remarks, Hilton emphasized the importance of the DEFIANCE Act, stating that it represents a significant step forward in protecting individuals from the harms of deepfake technology. Ocasio-Cortez and Lee's collaboration on this issue underscores a bipartisan effort to address emerging digital threats.
Criticism & Opposition
While the DEFIANCE Act has garnered bipartisan support, some critics argue that the legislation may not adequately address the complexities of digital privacy and consent. Concerns have been raised about the potential for misuse of the law and the challenges in enforcing it effectively.
What's Next
The outcomes of both Hilton's advocacy for the DEFIANCE Act and Katsanevas's testimony on franchising policies could have significant implications for future legislation. The discussions at Capitol Hill on Thursday may pave the way for further legislative initiatives aimed at protecting digital rights and promoting entrepreneurship.
