TikTok ban bill faces debate in Senate
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- Senators are sparring over the House bill that could ban TikTok unless its Chinese owner sells the app. On Capitol Hill there's no shortage of TikTok attacks.
"Enormous national security threat," Senator Mark Warner said of the app.
In a rare bipartisan vote on Wednesday, the House passed a bill that would force Chinese company ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban in the U.S.
Now the bill goes to the Senate, where it faces more of an uphill battle.
Intelligence Chair Mark Warner (D-Va.) says he's hopeful the bill will pass. He's long warned that TikTok could be used to steal Americans' date and spread propaganda or misinformation.
"We're not trying to eliminate something that a lot of people like. We're just trying to make sure that ultimately that control is not held by the communist party of China," Warner said.
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is also for a TikTok ban but says he's worried tech lobbyists will use their influence to kill any possible vote.
"TikTok is spending a gob of money to influence the Senate," Hawley said. "Nothing moves across the Senate floor if big tech doesn't want it."
Some lawmakers are raising free speech concerns about the House bill.
Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio.) says there's a lot he likes about the legislation, but he has reservations.
"We have to make sure this stuff isn't over broad. You don't want to penalize people's ability to participate in the public debate. You don't want to go after the right to free speech," Vance said.
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) chairs a committee that could decide whether the bill gets a vote.
In a statement, she did not support the House bill, instead promising to "try to find a path forward that is constitutional and protects civil liberties."
If the Senate does pass the bill it doesn't necessarily mean an end to TikTok.
A U.S. owner could buy the app and several have already expressed interest. On Thursday former U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told CNBC he's looking to put together an investor group to buy TikTok.
"I think the TikTok experience will continue," Warner said.
President Biden says if senators do send the bill to his desk he'll sign it into law.