TikTok Faces Potential Fast-Tracked Senate Bill Forcing Divestment or Ban

TikTok’s Fate in the US Hangs in the Balance as House Speaker Introduces Updated Bill

The future of TikTok in the United States is uncertain as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has introduced an updated version of a bill that could force the popular video-sharing app to divest from its China-based parent company, ByteDance. The revised legislation is part of a larger package that includes foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza, potentially making it more difficult for the Senate to overlook.

Key Changes to the TikTok Bill

The updated bill extends the timeline for a forced sale of TikTok from six months to nine, with the president having the discretion to extend the deadline by an additional 90 days if progress toward a deal is being made. These changes have already garnered support from Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA), who stated:

I’m very happy that Speaker Johnson and House leaders incorporated my recommendation to extend the Byte Dance divestment period from six months to a year. As I’ve said, extending the divestment period is necessary to ensure there is enough time for a new buyer to get a deal done. I support this updated legislation.

The Road Ahead for the Foreign Aid and TikTok Bill

Before the bill can reach the Senate, it must first be approved by the full House, with a vote expected to take place on Saturday. If passed by both chambers, President Joe Biden has already indicated that he will sign the measure into law.

TikTok’s Response to the Proposed Ban

In response to the updated bill, TikTok spokesperson Michael Hughes expressed disappointment, stating:

It is unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a ban bill that would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate 7 million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy, annually.

As the fate of TikTok in the US remains uncertain, the app’s users and businesses that rely on the platform anxiously await the outcome of this legislative battle.