Socialite and businesswoman Paris Hilton cheered on social media that more Republicans had joined her efforts to push stronger oversight for troubled youth residential treatment programs that may provide abusive environments for minors.
"Hi, Senator Schumer, it's Paris Hilton. I hope you're doing well. I'm so excited to share that we got 10 Republican co-sponsors on this Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act. We have so much momentum and hope that you can uphold your promise of helping pass this legislation this year," Hilton said in a social media post directed at Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Monday.
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So honored to announce that the bipartisan #StopInstitutionalChildAbuseAct (S.1351) officially has 10 amazing Republican Co-Sponsors! This shows that Congress isn't playing politics with children’s lives & I am excited to work with @SenSchumer to officially pass it in the Senate. pic.twitter.com/P9w92jKeyH
— ParisHilton (@ParisHilton) November 27, 2023
She continued, "It's deeply important for me to protect troubled youth and troubled teen facilities. So grateful for your continued support."
The New York senator responded, giving thanks to Hilton.
"Thank you, @ParisHilton! I look forward to continuing to work together to pass the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act!" Schumer said on social media.
Hilton has been open about her own experience of abuse as a teenager.
"As a teenager placed in congregate care facilities I endured unspeakable abuses–verbal, physical, mental, emotional–that no child should ever have to go through. For the first time, I told the public how this trauma has carried into my adulthood, after making a promise to myself to never speak my truth. The truth has set me free," she says on her website.
She adds, "These institutions are meant for healing and therapy, but the lack of oversight and regulation of these facilities have led to abuse for hundreds of thousands of young people. I am no longer ashamed of my past. I stand by all abuse survivors and I am fighting to protect children for generations to come. I am turning my pain into purpose."
Last week, Hilton shared that Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Katie Britt (R-AL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) had joined in sponsoring the legislation.
To the 10 republican senators co-sponsoring the #StopInstitutionalChildAbuseAct, thank you????I am beyond grateful for you this holiday season @JohnCornyn @SenCapito @SenKatieBritt @SenThomTillis @TTuberville @SenatorCollins @SenMullin @SenLummis @RogerMarshallMD @PeteRicketts pic.twitter.com/PelDTZ3RjH
— ParisHilton (@ParisHilton) November 20, 2023
The bill was originally authored by Sens. Cornyn, Tuberville, Merkley, Rep. Ro Khanna (R-CA), (D-CA), and Rep. Earl Carter (R-GA) and was introduced earlier this year on April 27.
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Hilton has publicly shared her story of how she was a rebellious 16-year-old teenager and resented being the victim of a "parent-approved kidnapping" where she was forcibly taken from her home to a congregate care facility. She shared that she was the victim of abuse while attending a boarding school in Utah.
The reality star has advocated this cause and has regularly met with senators to fight for means by which to end the abuse.