Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has outlined a busy agenda for lawmakers as they return to Washington, with a focus on making progress on TikTok legislation. This comes after the House voted to give TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, six months to divest from its US assets to avoid a ban. While Schumer did not take a specific position on TikTok, he emphasized the opportunity to make progress on bipartisan bills in the coming weeks and months.
Although there are discussions about next steps regarding TikTok, no immediate action is planned by Congress. Schumer mentioned other bipartisan bills where progress is possible, including children’s online safety, rail safety legislation, low-income internet subsidies, cannabis banking, and efforts to outcompete the Chinese government. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell has stated that she is considering holding a public hearing on a TikTok crackdown bill and emphasized the importance of having tools to prevent foreign actors from harming US citizens.
TikTok, used by approximately 170 million Americans, has become a major issue in Washington, with lawmakers receiving numerous calls from users opposed to the legislation. TikTok itself warns that a ban would violate the First Amendment rights of millions of American users. Despite these concerns, many lawmakers and the Biden administration believe that TikTok poses national security risks due to the potential for China to access American user data. However, TikTok maintains that it has never shared US data and has taken significant steps to protect American data, including investing over $1.5 billion in securing and housing it in the US.
In the coming weeks and months, lawmakers will be discussing and potentially taking action on various bipartisan bills, including those related to TikTok, children’s online safety, and cannabis banking. The fate of TikTok remains uncertain as the debate over its national security implications continues. As discussions progress, there is a possibility for bipartisan cooperation in addressing the concerns surrounding TikTok and other legislative priorities.
While Schumer’s statement did not provide specific details on the Senate’s agenda for TikTok legislation, he highlighted the potential for bipartisan progress on various bills. With lawmakers returning to work following a two-week recess, the debate over TikTok’s future in the US and the related national security concerns are likely to continue. The outcome of these discussions could have significant implications for TikTok’s presence in the US and the privacy and security of American users.
