House Quietly Revives TikTok Ban Bill: What You Need to Know

TikTok’s Uncertain Future: The Battle Between US Lawmakers and Chinese Ownership

The once-forgotten idea of forcing TikTok to separate from its Chinese parent company or face a complete ban in the United States has resurfaced with a vengeance. In a matter of days, the proposal went from obscurity to being halfway through the legislative process.

TikTok’s Call to Action: Users Flood Congressional Phone Lines

As the threat of a ban loomed, TikTok took action by displaying a message on its app, urging users to call their representatives and voice their opposition to the ban. The message included a zip code entry field, allowing users to easily obtain the contact information for their congressperson.

The response was overwhelming. Congressional offices were inundated with calls, primarily from young TikTok users, just before the committee’s vote. One Democratic staffer described the situation as “so bad we had to turn off the phones,” with all four phone lines constantly occupied and additional calls going to voicemail.

Unusual Callers: Young Voices Without Scripts

The callers stood out from typical congressional call-in campaigns. Many sounded extremely young, with staffers estimating ages ranging from 14 to 15 years old, and sometimes even younger. The callers also lacked scripts, and some would abruptly hang up upon realizing they had reached a live person.

The Road Ahead: Challenges in the Senate

While the bill has gained momentum in the House, its path in the Senate remains uncertain. Without a companion bill and the commitment of Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the process could face significant delays. However, the bill’s sponsors in the House believe that the strong vote in their chamber will send a clear message to the Senate.

Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) will play a crucial role in advancing the legislation through her panel. However, Cantwell has previously acted as a roadblock to popular bipartisan tech legislation, such as the American Innovation and Choice Online Act.

Trump’s Opposition and Gallagher’s Response

Former President Donald Trump has expressed his opposition to the bill, viewing TikTok as “an enemy of the people.” Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI), one of the bill’s sponsors, attempted to downplay Trump’s opposition, emphasizing that the goal is not to shut down TikTok and force its users onto other platforms like Facebook.

Gallagher also appealed to Trump’s self-crafted image as a dealmaker, suggesting that if re-elected, Trump may have the opportunity to “consummate the deal of the century” regarding TikTok’s future.

Trump may, if he gets reelected, have an opportunity to consummate the deal of the century.

As the battle over TikTok’s future continues, the app’s young user base has made their voices heard, while lawmakers grapple with the complexities of balancing national security concerns with the popularity of the platform.