Several senators have raised concerns over what they perceive as a delay in addressing the House-passed TikTok bill in the Senate, citing national security as a pressing issue.
The bipartisan bill, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, was introduced in the House and passed by a significant margin of 352-65, with one member abstaining. The bill aims to compel the popular app TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance or face a ban in the United States.
However, Senator Josh Hawley has expressed frustration over the bill's delay in the Senate, accusing some of his colleagues of attempting to stall its progress. He highlighted concerns that TikTok's ties to China pose a national security risk and emphasized the need for swift action.
Despite the bill's quick passage in the House, it has been referred to the Senate Commerce Committee, led by Chairwoman Maria Cantwell. Cantwell has indicated a thorough review process involving potential public hearings and markups, drawing criticism from some senators who view this as a delay tactic.
While some senators, like Ted Cruz, have emphasized the importance of following proper legislative procedures, others, including Senator Shelley Moore Capito, have expressed frustration over what they perceive as unnecessary delays in bringing the bill to a vote.
Senator Mark Warner has underscored the urgency of addressing TikTok's national security implications and has called for a more expedited process in the Senate. He highlighted the bipartisan consensus among senators regarding the app's potential risks.
Despite differing opinions among senators on the bill's handling, its House sponsor, Representative Mike Gallagher, remains cautiously optimistic about its prospects in the Senate. He pointed to the overwhelming support the bill received in the House as a compelling reason for the Senate to take action.
While some senators have defended the need for hearings on the bill, others have raised concerns about potential political motivations behind the delays. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand noted that changing ownership of TikTok could be a time-consuming process, while Senator Richard Blumenthal highlighted the unusual speed at which the bill passed in the House.
As the Senate grapples with the TikTok bill and its national security implications, the debate over the appropriate course of action continues among lawmakers, with calls for both expedited proceedings and thorough deliberations.
