House Foreign Affairs Passes TikTok Ban With Party-Line Vote
The House Foreign Affairs Committee voted along party lines Wednesday to advance legislation that would authorize President Joe Biden to ban TikTok in the U.S. Committee Republicans advanced the bill with a 24-16 vote. Introduced by Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas,…
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the Data Act (HR-1153) would grant Biden new authority to impose bans on foreign-owned apps on data-security grounds under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. McCaul described TikTok as a “spy balloon” into American consumers’ phones, a “back door” to all personal data. Ranking member Gregory Meeks, N.Y., called the bill “dangerously” broad. Though he said he shares security concerns about the app, he warned Republicans against banning apps out of fear. Such a ban would be a ban on the “export of American culture and values to the billion-plus people who use our service worldwide,” the company said in a statement. “We’re disappointed to see this rushed piece of legislation move forward, despite its considerable negative impact on the free speech rights of millions of Americans who use and love TikTok.”