WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan bill that would establish a federal intellectual property right allowing individuals to authorize or block digital replicas of their voice and likeness has cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee, setting up a full floor vote in the upper body of Congress.
Introduced by Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) on May 20, S.4591 — the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act of 2026 — advanced out of committee during a Thursday morning Executive Business Meeting on Capitol Hill.
That generated applause from NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt, as the association has voiced its support of what in shorthand is being called the “NO FAKES Act.”
“Local broadcasters work every day to earn the trust of their communities, and unauthorized AI-generated replicas undermine that trust by enabling deception and the misuse of voices and likenesses of trusted journalists and on-air personalities,” LeGeyt said. “This legislation establishes important safeguards against harmful deepfakes while supporting responsible innovation and respecting the First Amendment.”
Some 15 co-sponsors have signed on to the bill, which has bipartisan support from such members as Senators Amy Klobuchar, Dick Durban, Charles Grassley and Marsha Blackburn.
The vote came following consideration of separate bills concerning cameras in the courtroom and the “Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2025,” and eight nominees for roles ranging from federal circuit judges and district judges to Department of Justice Inspector General and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama.
