By MARY CLARE JALONICK and HALELUYA HADERO (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill that could make TikTok illegal in the U.S. if its Chinese owner doesn't sell its share got a big boost on Wednesday when House Republican leaders added it to a group of bills that would send help to Ukraine and Israel. If Congress acts fast, this bill could become a law next week.
The TikTok law, which was approved by the House in March and has broad support in both parts of Congress, was included in the House foreign policy package after talks with the Senate about how long the Chinese firm ByteDance Ltd. would have to sell the app. to sell its share in order for the app to keep running in the United States. President Joe Biden has said he would approve the TikTok law if it gets to him.
The bill was added to the national security package after it got an important approval from Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell, who said she had successfully extended the time from six months to a year to give the company enough time to find a buyer. While the original law had a six-month limit for TikTok to be sold, the new House bill would give nine months and a possible three-month extension if a sale was in progress.
“Extending the divestment period is necessary to ensure there is enough time for a new buyer to get a deal done,” said Cantwell, who had previously expressed doubts about the bill. ”I support this updated legislation.”
If Congress approves the TikTok law, it would be a rare moment when both parties come together against one company – something lawmakers are usually hesitant to do. But the popular social media app has sparked widespread anger in Congress, where there is mutual worry about Chinese threats to the United States and where few members use the platform themselves.
Opponents say they think the ban would be against the constitution, and there would probably be legal challenges if it becomes a law. The company, content creators who earn money on the app and many of the app’s 170 million U.S. users, especially young people, have strongly opposed the ban. Some lawmakers have even received calls using strong language from users who were encouraged by the app to call their representatives in Congress. calls with strong language from users who were encouraged by the app to call their representatives in Congress.
So far, the U.S. government has not given evidence that proves TikTok shared U.S. user data with the Chinese government, or that the Chinese authorities have interfered with the company’s popular algorithm, which affects what Americans see. has not provided evidence that shows TikTok shared U.S. user data with the Chinese government, or that Chinese authorities have interfered with the company’s popular algorithm, which affects what Americans see.
Since mid-March, the company has spent $5 million on TV ads opposing the law, according to AdImpact, an advertising tracking firm. The ads have included a range of content creators, including a nun, praising the good effects of the platform on their lives and arguing that a ban would violate the First Amendment.
TikTok has also spent money on Facebook and Instagram ads that, among other things, talk about investments in data safety. Additionally, the company has carried out a lobbying effort in Washington that involved bringing in content creators who depend on the platform for income.
Alex Haurek, a company spokesperson, stated on Thursday that it was unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using important foreign and huma