Key lawmakers in the US Senate have indicated a cautious approach towards a bill that would mandate the sale of TikTok from its Chinese owners or potentially lead to its ban in the United States, following its swift approval in the House of Representatives.
The bill’s rapid passage in the House on Wednesday, coupled with endorsement from US President Joe Biden, sparked concerns that the app, utilized by 170 million Americans, could face imminent shutdown.
However, hopes for swift action in the Senate were dampened, with key senators emphasizing the need for the proposed law to undergo the standard legislative process, which could extend over several months.
“These fields are evolving and changing so rapidly that you can do a lot of damage by moving too quickly or without the facts,” Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, cautioned in an interview with the Washington Post on Friday.
Navigating major legislation, particularly during an election year, poses significant challenges, with proponents of the bill expressing skepticism about its prospects in the Senate.
“What we’re likely to see happen in the Senate is people will nickel-and-dime it, a death by a thousand cuts,” remarked Republican Senator Josh Hawley in a statement to Axios, highlighting potential hurdles in advancing the bill.
Senate leaders responsible for guiding the proposed law through the legislative process have refrained from making firm commitments, with Senator Maria Cantwell, a Democrat who chairs the Commerce Committee, pledging to seek a path forward that upholds constitutional principles and protects civil liberties.
Republicans have also exercised caution, while former President Donald Trump reiterated his opposition to banning TikTok, urging his supporters to redirect their focus towards Meta, the parent company of Facebook.
Trump’s stance represents a departure from his previous efforts to compel TikTok’s divestiture from ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, which faced legal challenges during his tenure.
Concerns about TikTok’s ownership and alleged ties to Beijing have been raised by several Western governments, though TikTok and Beijing have consistently denied allegations of subservience to the Chinese government.
The White House has indicated that President Biden would sign the bill if it reaches his desk, underscoring bipartisan support for addressing national security concerns associated with TikTok’s ownership.
