The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted on Wednesday to approve a bill that would compel TikTok to divest from its Chinese owner or face a ban in the United States.
In a display of rare bipartisan unity in politically divided Washington, 352 lawmakers voted in favour of the proposed law, while 65 voted against it.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise praised the passage of the TikTok bill and dismissed concerns that targeting the popular app could have negative repercussions for Republicans in the upcoming November elections.
Scalise emphasised the need to protect young users from potential data risks posed by the app, stating that the bill would provide additional layers of security for families and youth.
He expressed confidence that the strong support for the legislation in the House would facilitate its passage in the Senate. However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not yet committed to considering the House’s version of the bill.
Scalise indicated that discussions with several senators have shown interest in the bill, particularly noting the bipartisan support it received in the House.
Meanwhile, a prior statement from the Chinese government warned the US about the potential consequences of banning TikTok, suggesting that such actions could have repercussions for the US in the future.
