WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The House passed a bill Wednesday morning that would force the Chinese owners of TikTok to sell the app or risk having it banned in the U.S.
The bill passed with 352 lawmakers voting in support, but this does not mean the app goes away instantly.
“With every dance challenge and lip sync video, American users are unknowingly contributing to a vast surveillance apparatus,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.).
The legislation requires TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, which is based in China, to sell TikTok in the next six months or see the app deleted from app stores in the U.S.
Supporters of the bill say the app is a national security threat as the Chinese government could force TikTok to hand over American users’ data.
“I think the Congress is stating the data rights of Americans have got to be safe from foreign government manipulation,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.)
Illinois Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi says the goal is not to ban TikTok.
“Our intention is for TikTok to continue to operate, but not under control of the Chinese Communist Party,” Krishnamoorthi said.
Some lawmakers voted no, such as California Democrat Sydney Kamlager-Dove, who says this legislation won’t stop China from getting Americans’ data.
“Even without TikTok the PRC could still be able to conduct influence operations on other social media platforms,” Kamlager-Dove said.
Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie says the bill could be unconstitutional.
“Some of us are concerned that there are First amendment implications here,” Massie said.
The legislation now heads to the Senate where senators seem less enthusiastic. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida head the Senate Intelligence committee and put a statement out urging support of the House bill. However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is uncommitted and said the Senate will review the legislation.
