The GOP-led House took a decisive step on Wednesday by passing a bill aimed at potentially banning TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests from the popular social media app. This legislation, titled the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” sailed through the House with a vote of 352-65, signaling bipartisan concern over national security implications associated with Chinese-controlled apps. However, the bill faced some resistance from both Democrats and Republicans, with 50 Democrats and 15 Republicans voting against it, highlighting divisions within Congress on the issue.
According to a press release from the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, the bill seeks to prevent the availability of ByteDance-controlled applications, including TikTok, on app stores or web hosting services in the U.S. unless these applications sever ties with entities subject to the control of a foreign adversary. The legislation also imposes a 180-day deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok or face potential restrictions on its operations within the United States.
Rep. Mike Gallagher, alongside Raja Krishnamoorthi, introduced the bill, emphasizing the urgent need to address the national security risks posed by Chinese-controlled social media platforms. Supporters argue that the legislation is crucial in thwarting attempts by the Chinese Communist Party to exploit these apps for data collection and influence operations targeting American users, particularly young individuals.
Speaker Mike Johnson hailed the bipartisan support for the bill, emphasizing its significance in countering Communist China’s efforts to spy on and manipulate Americans. However, opponents, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Marjorie Taylor Greene, criticized the rushed nature of the legislation, expressing concerns about potential censorship and the need for a more deliberative approach.
While the bill passed through committee and the House, it faces further scrutiny in the Democrat-controlled Senate. President Joe Biden signaled his willingness to sign the bill into law if it clears both chambers of Congress, underscoring the administration’s commitment to addressing national security threats posed by Chinese-controlled apps. However, former President Donald Trump voiced opposition to the legislation, reflecting divergent views within the Republican Party on how to confront the TikTok issue.
TikTok, for its part, warned against the potential infringement on the First Amendment rights of millions of Americans and the adverse impact on small businesses that rely on the platform for growth. Meanwhile, Chinese officials cautioned that a ban on TikTok could have retaliatory consequences for the United States. As the debate over TikTok unfolds, it underscores broader concerns about the intersection of national security, free expression, and economic interests in the digital age.
