White House national security adviser John Kirby has called on the Senate to swiftly advance a bill that would compel Chinese technology company ByteDance to divest its ownership of TikTok.
The bill, which passed in the House with significant bipartisan support, aims to address concerns about data security and potential exploitation of user information by ByteDance and the Chinese Communist Party.
“We’re glad the House took it up. And we urge the Senate to move swiftly on this,” Kirby emphasized during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week.” He underscored the importance of ensuring data security and protecting Americans’ privacy in the face of ByteDance’s ownership of TikTok.
White House on TikTok Bill (Credits: MSN)
The bill, passed by a wide margin of 352-65 in the House, has garnered attention from President Joe Biden, who has indicated his readiness to sign it into law if approved by Congress. However, the Senate’s deliberation has been slower, with some lawmakers expressing caution and hesitancy about the proposed legislation.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who co-chairs the special House committee on China relations, highlighted positive discussions with Senate members but noted the need for expeditious action given the bipartisan support the bill received in the House.
Despite the urgency expressed by House members and the White House, the Senate faces a packed agenda, including negotiations on a budget resolution and impending appropriations bills.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not committed to a specific timeline for considering the TikTok bill, stating a need for thorough review before proceeding.
Biden and House Members (Credits: Al Jazeera)
Some senators, like Bill Cassidy and Ben Cardin, have offered tentative support for the bill but remain cautious about its implications. Cardin emphasized the importance of establishing guardrails for TikTok ownership while awaiting the Senate’s deliberations.
Outside of Congress, the TikTok bill has drawn attention from former President Donald Trump, who has reversed his previous stance in favor of banning TikTok and now opposes the proposed legislation.
Former Vice President Mike Pence cited Trump’s position on TikTok as a factor in his decision not to endorse him for the upcoming election, highlighting the divisive nature of the issue.
As discussions continue both within Congress and among former administration officials, the fate of the TikTok bill remains uncertain. Lawmakers are balancing concerns about data security, international relations, and economic interests.
