WASHINGTON — The House on Wednesday passed a bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn’t sell, as lawmakers acted on concerns that the company’s current ownership structure is a national security threat.
TikTok, which has more than 150 million American users, is owned by Chinese technology firm ByteDance Ltd. Lawmakers contend that ByteDance is beholden to the Chinese government, which could demand access to the data of TikTok’s consumers anytime. The worry stems from a set of Chinese security laws that compel organizations to assist with intelligence gathering.
The bill, passed by a vote of 352-65, now goes to the Senate. The upper chamber would also need to pass the measure for it to become law, and lawmakers in that chamber indicated it would undergo a thorough review. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he’ll have to consult with relevant committee chairs to determine the bill’s path.
President Joe Biden has said if Congress passes the measure, he will sign it. Former President Donald Trump has broken with fellow Republicans to oppose the effort. He said Monday that he still believes TikTok poses a national security risk but is opposed to banning it because doing so would help Facebook, which he continues to lambast over his 2020 election loss.
Maine’s two Democratic representatives — Chellie Pingree of the 1st District and Jared Golden of the 2nd District — backed the bill. The overwhelming vote saw 197 Republicans and 155 Democrats back the crackdown on TikTok.
The House vote is poised to open a new front in the long-running feud between lawmakers and the tech industry. Members of Congress have long been critical of tech platforms and their expansive influence, often clashing with executives over industry practices.
Opposition to the bill was also bipartisan, with 50 Democrats joining 15 Republicans on the no side. Some Republicans said the U.S. should warn consumers if there are data privacy and propaganda concerns, while some Democrats voiced concerns about the impact a ban would have on its millions of users in the U.S., many of which are entrepreneurs and business owners.
“The answer to authoritarianism is not more authoritarianism,” said Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif. “The answer to CCP-style propaganda is not CCP-style oppression.”
Ahead of the House vote, a top national security official in the Biden administration held a closed-door briefing Tuesday with lawmakers to discuss TikTok and the national security implications. Lawmakers are balancing those security concerns against a desire not to limit free speech online.
TikTok has long denied that it could be used as a tool of the Chinese government. The company has said it has never shared U.S. user data with Chinese authorities and won’t do so if it is asked. To date, the U.S. government also has not provided any evidence that shows TikTok shared such information with Chinese authorities. The security briefing seemed to change few minds, instead solidifying the views of both sides.
Republican leaders have moved quickly to bring up the bill after its introduction last week. A House committee approved the legislation unanimously, on a 50-vote, even after their offices were inundated with calls from TikTok users demanding they drop the effort. Some offices even shut off their phones because of the onslaught.
Lawmakers in both parties are anxious to confront China on a range of issues. The House formed a special committee to focus on China-related issues. And Schumer directed committee chairs to begin working with Republicans on a bipartisan China competition bill. Senators are expressing an openness to the bill but suggested they don’t want to rush ahead.
“It is not for me a redeeming quality that you’re moving very fast in technology because the history shows you make a lot of mistakes,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon.
Story by Kevin Freking. BDN writer Michael Shepherd contributed to this report.
