Paris Hilton Hints At Political Future After Successfully Lobbying Against 'Troubled Teen Industry'

The hotel heiress told reporters that seeing the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act pass has been "one of the most incredible moments of my life."

Paris Hilton says she can see a future in politics after working to help pass a historic bill protecting children from abuse at the hands of the “troubled teen industry.”

The hotel chain heiress and child welfare advocate was emotional as she spoke to the media about the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, which was passed by the House with bipartisan support on Wednesday and now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

Asked if she could envision herself running for public office, Hilton told reporters, “After coming here so many times over the past couple of years and seeing that my voice really can make a difference, and I can really shine a spotlight on things that are important around the world to make it a better place and safer for children, I can maybe see that happening,” according to The Hill.

For over three years, the former TV personality and now mother of two has been regularly traveling to Washington to lobby legislators for reform in youth residential treatment programs, commonly known as the “troubled teen industry.”

According to a site for the soon-to-be law, more than $23 billion is spent each year to send children and teens to boot camps, wilderness programs and therapeutic boarding schools to address behavioral and psychological issues. While these places claim to help youth under their care, accounts of physical, psychological and sexual abuse are widespread.