US House Votes to Force TikTok Divestment or Face US Ban

In a decisive move, the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill on Wednesday that would compel TikTok to divest from its Chinese owner or face a ban in the United States.

The bipartisan vote saw 352 lawmakers in favor of the proposed law and 65 against it, showcasing a rare moment of unity in the politically divided Washington.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise praised the passage of the TikTok bill, dismissing concerns that targeting the popular app could impact Republicans in the upcoming November elections.

He emphasized the need to protect young people’s data, stating that many are unaware of the risks posed by the app.

“This bill protects those families and young people and lets them still use the application they enjoy. So it’s a win for families across America, and it’s a long time coming,” Scalise remarked.

Scalise expressed confidence that the strong support for the legislation in the House would facilitate its passage in the Senate.

However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not committed to taking up the House’s version of the bill.

“I’ve talked to several senators; they are looking—many of them are looking towards how strong this vote is.

So the fact that it’s such an overwhelming vote, both Republicans and Democrats, bodes well for this version of the bill to be quickly taken up in the Senate,” Scalise stated.

In response to the proposed ban, the Chinese government issued a warning to the US, stating that such actions would “inevitably come back to bite” the country.