House Republicans Push Forward with TikTok Ban Legislation Amidst Former President Trump’s Ambivalence
House Republicans are determined to move forward with a piece of legislation that would prohibit the operation of TikTok in the United States unless it separates from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Despite former President Donald Trump’s previous support for such measures but recent signs of uneasiness over the bill, House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers expressed confidence that it would pass.
McMorris Rodgers downplayed Trump’s opposition, stating that this legislation aligns with the actions the former president attempted to take during his presidency. She encouraged Trump to review the bill and reassured that the national security threat posed by TikTok persists.
In response to TikTok’s lobbying efforts against the legislation, House Republicans have initiated counter-campaigns. These efforts include scheduling a classified briefing for all House members on Tuesday at 1 p.m., where they can learn about the potential national security risks associated with apps owned by foreign adversaries.
During a House GOP whip meeting on Monday night, McMorris Rodgers briefed members on the bill, although the leadership is not officially whipping it. The measure will come up under suspension of the rules, which requires a two-thirds majority for passage.
Virginia GOP Representative Morgan Griffith, an Energy and Commerce member, stated that attending these briefings will provide information unavailable to the former president. Freedom Caucus member Jeff Duncan has also been actively reaching out to Trump’s team to clarify the bill’s implications and dispel any misconceptions.
Greg Pence, another Indiana Republican, echoed the sentiments of his colleagues and clarified that this bill does not ban TikTok but instead ensures that a foreign adversary cannot own it.
Despite these efforts to educate and dispel misconceptions, Trump’s stance on the bill remains uncertain. While some Republicans are confident that it will pass in the chamber, its fate in the Senate is less clear. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise expressed optimism about the bill’s prospects but admitted that conversations with senators have been ongoing.
As House Republicans work to clear up any misconceptions and gain support for the bill, TikTok CEO Shou Chew has reportedly been seeking meetings with senators to discuss the matter. However, some senators have been hesitant to meet with him due to concerns about data privacy and national security risks associated with the app.
Trump’s potential influence on fence-sitting Republicans has been a topic of discussion, with some expressing confidence that the measure will pass regardless. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, an Iowa Republican, stated that TikTok’s campaign encouraging users to call members of Congress backfired and showed the app’s efforts to engage people in preserving its current structure.
GOP Representative Chip Roy disagreed with Trump’s recent stance on TikTok and emphasized the importance of protecting American data. House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good remains undecided but leans towards voting in favor of the bill, with Trump’s position having no impact on his decision.
However, Texas Representative Troy Nehls, a staunch Trump ally, is still undecided on the bill and intends to have a conversation with the former president before making a decision.
In conclusion, House Republicans remain committed to pushing forward with legislation banning TikTok in the United States unless it separates from its Chinese parent company. Despite Trump’s ambivalence, they are working to address any misconceptions and gain support for the bill while TikTok CEO Shou Chew attempts to influence senators with meetings. The outcome of this legislation in both chambers remains uncertain.
