(L-R) Francesca Mani and Elliston Berry are applauded by U.S. first lady Melania Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) after speaking during a roundtable discussion on the “Take It Down Act” at the U.S. Capitol on March 3. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

The TAKE IT DOWN Act, an online safety legislation, is gaining steam in Washington, D.C., as first lady Melania Trump expressed her support Monday.

The big picture: The bipartisan bill aims to bolster protections against the non-consensual dissemination of sexual images, including those generated through artificial intelligence and targets deepfake and revenge pornography.

Driving the news: The first lady and House Speaker Mike Johnson joined a roundtable on Capitol Hill on Monday with congressional leaders and victims of child sexual abuse material.

• At the meeting, Melania Trump spoke of the risks of an “AI-driven” world, saying, “Every young person deserves a safe online space to express themselves free without the looming threat of exploitation.”

What is the TAKE IT DOWN Act?

The TAKE IT DOWN Act would require tech and social media platforms to remove CSAM and non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours of being notified by a victim, and it criminalizes posting such content, per Axios’ Maria Curi.

• Under the bill, people who post such content would face penalties and prison time.
• The FTC could sue tech companies for not complying as an unfair or deceptive act or practice, Curi writes.

Who is supporting the bill?

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and has bipartisan support including from cosponsors like Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

• The Senate passed the legislation unanimously last month.

Where it stands

House leaders said Monday they’re ready to pass the bill.

• House Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie said an educational hearing on the bill will be held “very, very soon.”
• He vowed it would be a top priority for the committee “over the next few weeks.”

Go deeper: House leaders ready to pass deepfakes bill backed by Melania Trump