Martina McBride to Testify Before Senate in Support of NO FAKES Act Protecting Artists from AI Deepfakes
NASHVILLE, TN (May 16, 2025) — Country music powerhouse Martina McBride is stepping into a new spotlight next week—not on stage, but on Capitol Hill.
The multi-award-winning artist and humanitarian will testify before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law on Wednesday, May 21 at 2:30 PM ET, joining a panel of tech and policy leaders in support of the bipartisan NO FAKES Act. The hearing, titled “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: AI-Generated Deepfakes in 2025,” will address the urgent rise of AI-generated content impersonating real people’s voices and likenesses without consent.
McBride, whose iconic voice gave us timeless anthems like “Independence Day,” “A Broken Wing,” and “This One’s For the Girls,” will appear alongside Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier. Together, they’ll advocate for stronger legal protections against unauthorized AI-generated imitations—especially those impacting public figures, artists, and families.
“As a performer and a mother, this bill is deeply personal,” McBride shared in a statement ahead of the hearing. “Our voices, images, and identities are not for the taking.”
The NO FAKES Act proposes the creation of a new federal property right designed to shield individuals from nonconsensual AI deepfakes and voice clones. It also aims to strike a careful balance: preserving First Amendment rights, encouraging responsible innovation, and providing clear legal recourse for victims of misuse.
The bipartisan legislation has gained strong support across both political aisles, with Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) championing the measure in the Senate. A corresponding effort is underway in the House, led by Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), and Becca Balint (D-VT).
Joining McBride and Glazier at the hearing are:
- Justin Brookman – Director of Technology Policy, Consumer Reports
- Suzana Carlos – Head of Music Policy, YouTube
- Christen Price – Senior Legal Counsel, National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE)
The hearing will take place in Room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building and will also be livestreamed for public viewing.
📺 Watch the livestream on May 21 at 2:30 PM ET.
About Martina McBride:
With over 23 million albums sold and a trophy case full of honors—including four CMA Female Vocalist of the Year awards—Martina McBride has carved out a legendary career anchored in authenticity. Beyond the stage, she’s a passionate philanthropist, cookbook author, and advocate for domestic violence survivors through her Team Music Is Love initiative. McBride resides in Nashville with her husband and three daughters. Her influence extends from the airwaves to the halls of Congress—and now, to the fight for truth in the age of AI.
