Former Vice President Mike Pence is leading an effort to push a bill through Congress that would require popular social media app TikTok to cut ties with China due to national security concerns. Pence’s organization, Advancing American Freedom, is running a multimillion-dollar ad campaign aimed at pressuring key senators to pass the legislation. The bill, introduced by House China Select Committee Chair Mike Gallagher and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and passed with bipartisan support in the House, would force TikTok to either divest from its Chinese-owned parent company or face a ban in the U.S. Pence believes that TikTok’s data collection and connection to China pose urgent threats that cannot be delayed, especially given the upcoming presidential election.
While the bill passed the House with strong support, it has faced delays and uncertainty in the Senate, with some questioning the role of Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell as former staffers who now lobby for TikTok raise concerns. Despite Pence’s concerns about potential delays due to the election year, some senators, like Mark Warner and Ted Cruz, have indicated support for swift action on the bill due to its national security implications. Sen. Josh Hawley has criticized outside lobbying efforts for stalling the bill, accusing efforts to move it to committee as an attempt to “kill it.” Cantwell has signaled her intention to hold public hearings on the bill before considering a markup, a move that has received approval from Sen. Ted Cruz.
Pence emphasized his concerns about TikTok’s data privacy issues and its potential as a propaganda platform for the Chinese Communist Party. He warned that the app’s collection of data on millions of Americans poses a significant risk for future exploitation by the Chinese government. The former vice president believes that the urgency of addressing these threats cannot be understated, particularly given the potential consequences of inaction. Pence highlighted the importance of bipartisanship in addressing national security concerns, urging senators to prioritize the bill’s passage despite potential political obstacles.
Multiple reports have suggested that the bill’s fate in the Senate is uncertain, with some senators cautioning that legislative processes often take longer in the upper chamber. Sen. Warner has disputed this notion, pointing to the bill’s quick passage in the House and its national security implications as reasons for expedited action in the Senate. Sen. Hawley has criticized what he perceives as attempts to undermine the bill’s progress due to outside lobbying efforts, accusing those involved of prioritizing the interests of Big Tech over national security concerns. Despite these challenges, Pence remains optimistic about the bill’s chances and is committed to continuing the campaign to pressure senators to take action on TikTok’s ties to China.
Pence’s organization has launched a high-profile ad campaign in Washington, D.C., and several states to raise awareness about the national security threats posed by TikTok’s ties to China. The former Vice President is concerned that delays in the Senate, particularly in an election year, could hamper efforts to address these threats. Pence has emphasized the need for swift action to address the risks associated with TikTok’s data collection and potential propaganda platform for the Chinese Communist Party. Despite facing obstacles and uncertainties in the Senate, Pence remains committed to pushing for the bill’s passage and is actively engaging with key senators to advance the legislation.
