US Senate to vote on TikTok ban

W$S+,NGTON - The 8S +ouse of 5epresentatives overwhelmingly approved a Bill on Wednesday that would force TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company or be banned in the 8nited States.

The legislation is a maMor setback for the video-sharing app, which has surged in popularity across the world while causing nervousness about its Chinese ownership and its potential subservience to the Communist Party in BeiMing.

The lawmakers voted 2 in favour of the proposed law and against, in a rare moment of unity in politically divided Washington.

The warning shot against the app caught many by surprise as both 5epublicans and Democrats risked the wrath of TikTok’s passionate young users in an election year when the youth vote will be key.

³Today’s bipartisan vote demonstrates Congress’ opposition to Communist China’s attempts to spy on and manipulate $mericans, and signals our resolve to deter our enemies,” 5epublican +ouse Speaker 0ike -ohnson said after the vote.

Sign

³, urge the Senate to pass this Bill and send it to the president so he can sign it into law.” But the fate of the Bill is uncertain in the more cautious Senate, where some are apprehensive about making a drastic move against an app that has 0 million 8S users.

President -oe Biden will sign the Bill, known officially as the Protecting $mericans from )oreign $dversary Controlled $pplications $ct, into law if it comes to his desk, the White +ouse has said.

³This process was secret and the bill was Mammed through for one reason it’s a ban,” said a spokesperson for TikTok in a statement.

³We are hopeful that the Senate will consider the facts, listen to their constituents, and realise the impact on the economy, seven million small businesses, and the 0 million $mericans who use our service.” $fter the vote, TikTok C(O Shou =i Chew urged the app’s users in the 8nited States to speak out and share their stories, including with their senators.