In a move that’s stirring up Capitol Hill, the House of Representatives passed a hefty bipartisan bill on Saturday with a vote of 360-58. The legislation demands that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, either sell its stake to a U.S.-based entity within a year or risk a complete ban of the social media platform in the U.S.
The bill, aiming to address national security and data privacy concerns cited by bipartisan lawmakers, adds a twist to the ongoing saga around TikTok’s operation in America. Previously, the House had pushed a bill to potentially block TikTok, but it lacked enough support in the Senate. This new approach, folding the TikTok provision into a broader bill, seems to have a better chance of making it through both chambers of Congress.
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), a key figure who previously opposed a tighter deadline, expressed her approval of the new timeline, stating it provides adequate time for a proper divestment and subsequent deal.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, this issue has presidential hopefuls divided. President Joe Biden has expressed his willingness to sign off on any legislation that takes aim at TikTok, while Donald Trump has wavered in his stance. Meanwhile, TikTok isn’t staying silent, voicing concerns on social media about the potential economic repercussions of a ban, suggesting it could impact millions of Americans and businesses financially linked to the platform.
