On a crisp day in Washington, D.C., a group of TikTok creators came together before a press conference. Their goal was to express their concerns about the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.” This piece of legislation, which is currently making its way through the House of Representatives, aims to place restrictions on TikTok.
Craig Hudson, a photographer, captured the moment for Reuters.
In a recent development, John Kirby, the White House national security adviser, spoke out. He emphasized the urgency of the Senate’s action on a bill targeting TikTok, a popular app owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. Kirby’s comments came during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week.” He praised the House for its decisive action and called for the Senate to follow suit quickly.
Kirby highlighted the importance of divesting from ByteDance. He expressed concerns over data security and the potential misuse of information by ByteDance and the Chinese Communist Party. The White House is pushing for the sale of TikTok to an American company to mitigate these risks.
The House of Representatives showed strong bipartisan support for the bill, passing it with a vote of 352-65. President Joe Biden, who is currently using TikTok for his reelection campaign, has stated he would sign the bill into law if it reaches his desk.
Members of the House are eager to see the bill progress. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois, and Mike Gallagher, a Republican from Wisconsin, have been actively discussing the bill with Senate members. They shared their optimism on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” noting the surprising level of support the bill received in the House.
However, the Senate faces a busy schedule, with pressing budget negotiations on the horizon. These negotiations are crucial to avoid a partial government shutdown. Despite this, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, has not prioritized the TikTok bill. While he has shown support for the sale of TikTok to a U.S. company, he has not committed to a timeline for a vote.
Some senators have expressed cautious support for the bill. Senators Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, and Ben Cardin, a Democrat from Maryland, are among those who have shown interest but have yet to fully commit.
The debate over the TikTok bill extends beyond Capitol Hill. Former President Donald Trump has voiced his opposition to a TikTok ban, marking a shift from his previous stance. He shared his views on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” suggesting that banning TikTok could inadvertently benefit Facebook, which he views critically.
Former Vice President Mike Pence also weighed in on the issue. He cited Trump’s recent change of heart on TikTok as a key reason for not endorsing him in the upcoming election. Pence shared his thoughts on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” reflecting on the broader implications of the administration’s stance on China.
The discussion around the TikTok bill continues to evolve, with various stakeholders expressing their views. As the Senate deliberates on the bill, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain.