U.S. Set to Ban TikTok If ! MASSIVE BLOW to Social Media Landscape LOOMS

The House passed legislation on Wednesday aiming to potentially prohibit TikTok in the United States, as concerns grow across party lines about the popular video-sharing app’s national security implications due to its ownership by a China-based company.

The vote count stood at 352-65, with Representative Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat from Texas, voting present. The bill now moves to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain and the sense of urgency to act appears less pronounced.

Following the vote, Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana emphasized the threat posed by Communist China, asserting that the app could be exploited to access American data and disseminate harmful information. He hailed the bipartisan support as a sign of Congress’ resistance to Chinese attempts at espionage and manipulation.

However, the bill faced opposition from both sides of the aisle, with fifty Democrats and fifteen Republicans voting against it. Among them were progressives like Representatives Pramila Jayapal of Washington and Ro Khanna of California, as well as conservatives such as Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who expressed concerns over previous social media bans.

Surprisingly, Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, also voted against the bill, citing free speech considerations.

TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, launched a vigorous lobbying effort against the legislation, contending that it would infringe upon the First Amendment rights of its 170 million U.S. users and negatively impact numerous small businesses reliant on the platform.

At a rally outside the Capitol, business owners like Paul Tran, whose skin care company benefited significantly from TikTok, voiced their opposition, warning of dire consequences for their livelihoods if the bill passes.

Despite these objections, the bill passed through the House, increasing pressure on the Senate to take action. President Joe Biden, whose 2024 campaign recently joined TikTok, has signaled his support, stating that he would sign the bill into law if it reaches his desk. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the bill’s importance and urged the Senate to act swiftly.