Maria Cantwell, chair of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, endorsed the new legislation that grants ByteDance a one-year window to divest the short-video app.
On Thursday, momentum grew in Congress for a push to compel ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, to divest the social media platform or risk a U.S. ban. The House of Representatives scheduled a vote for Saturday, and a prominent Senate Democrat expressed backing for this initiative.
In a significant development in Washington, the Republican-controlled House incorporated the provision into a comprehensive $95 billion legislative bundle aimed at offering assistance to allies such as Ukraine and Israel. This marks a significant stride forward in the ongoing efforts spanning several months.
The endorsement of Maria Cantwell, chair of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, significantly enhances the likelihood of the new legislation, granting ByteDance a one-year period to divest the short-video app, becoming law.
The previous bill, which received robust bipartisan backing when passed by the House last month, would have afforded ByteDance only six months to complete the sale.
Numerous lawmakers and the administration of President Joe Biden argue that TikTok presents national security concerns due to the potential for China to compel the company to disclose data from its 170 million U.S. users. In contrast, TikTok maintains that it has never shared U.S. data and has no intention of doing so.
Cantwell had initially shown tepid support for the initial bill, but she enthusiastically backed the version presented as part of a package negotiated by House Speaker Mike Johnson.
"Incorporating my suggestion to extend the ByteDance divestment period from six months to a year, as part of the legislative package, is a positive step," Cantwell stated. "Extending the divestment period is crucial to allow ample time for potential buyers to finalize a deal. I endorse this revised legislation."
A TikTok spokesperson expressed disappointment, stating, "It is regrettable that the House of Representatives is leveraging crucial foreign and humanitarian aid as a pretext to advance this bill."
The company argued that imposing restrictions on the app would infringe upon users' freedom of speech, a right safeguarded by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, it highlighted the potential impact on 7 million American businesses purportedly reliant on the app.
In a March interview with Reuters, Cantwell emphasized her desire for legislation that effectively addresses overarching concerns regarding foreign apps, emphasizing the importance of measures that would withstand legal scrutiny. She stressed the need for the most potent and resilient tool available in addressing these issues.