Representative Steve Scalise | Official U.S. House headshot
Representative Steve Scalise | Official U.S. House headshot
WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Republicans have successfully pushed through legislation aimed at protecting Americans from the potential threats posed by foreign adversary-controlled applications like TikTok. The bill, signed into law by President Biden, forces TikTok to be sold by its Chinese owner, ByteDance, or face a ban, amidst concerns of spying, data theft, and content manipulation endangering national security.
The New York Times detailed the behind-the-scenes efforts of a small group of lawmakers, led by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, to craft and pass the TikTok bill. Scalise highlighted the significance of the bipartisan effort, stating, "You don’t get many opportunities like this on a major issue." He added, "This fight’s been going on for years."
The secretive nature of the process, dubbed the "Thunder Run," involved months of meticulous planning to navigate legal challenges and gain support from key stakeholders. The group collaborated with the Justice Department and the White House, culminating in a remarkably swift seven-week journey from the bill's introduction to its signing into law.
Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi reflected on the impact of public engagement, stating, "It transformed a lot of lean yeses into hell yeses at that point." The bill's passage in the House, followed by a successful push through the Senate, solidified its status as the first legislation with the potential to result in a wide ban of a foreign app.
TikTok, caught off guard by the lawmakers' strategy, expressed objections to the bill, emphasizing concerns about free expression and American users' rights. Despite opposition and lobbying efforts from various groups, including conservative and liberal organizations, the bill ultimately gained overwhelming support in both chambers of Congress.
With the bill now signed into law, ByteDance has six months to sell TikTok, with a possible extension, marking a significant milestone in efforts to address national security risks associated with the popular app.
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