Missouri Senator's Push for US TikTok Ban Blocked by Fellow Republican

Missouri Senator Josh Hawley's push for a Senate vote on legislation that would ban TikTok from the US was blocked by a fellow Republican, according to a report by AP.

"Digital Fentanyl"

Hawley referred to TikTok as "digital fentanyl" alleging it might provide the Chinese government access to the information of 150 million US users. Hawley's proposal would restrict and forbid US dealings with ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok, after 30 days.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul opposed Hawley's proposal, claiming that outlawing an app would be unconstitutional and infuriate the millions of voters who use it. No matter how one feels about it, speech is protected, he said.

Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok, was interrogated by parliamentarians from both parties last week about his company's ties to China's communist government, data security, and many more.

Chew made an effort to reassure legislators that the wildly popular video-sharing app emphasizes user safety and should not be prohibited because of its ties to China. Yet, the tense stalemate gave Hawley and other lawmakers new momentum in their argument that it should be banned.

Bills Supporting Ban on TikTok

Hawley recommended that Congress take quick action to directly outlaw TikTok. Although some legislators have thought about more comprehensive strategies, no legislation has gained universal support.

However, AP notes that the bipartisan legislation introduced by South Dakota Senator John Thune and Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner has strong support in the Senate.

Although TikTok is not mentioned by name in the legislation, it would grant the Commerce Department authority to examine and perhaps limit foreign risks to digital platforms.

The White House has supported such legislation, but it is not clear if the Senate will take it up or if House Republicans would give it much of a chance.

Another bill introduced by Florida senator and Republican Marco Rubio would prohibit US companies from doing business with TikTok and establish new guidelines for the executive branch's ability to restrict any foreign apps it deems hostile.

Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Mike Gallagher are cosponsors of his bill as well.

The agreement on a bill approved in December that forbade TikTok on most government equipment is cited by those advocating further legislation.

But despite having support from both parties, the divergent ideas highlight how challenging it may be to come to a consensus on a historically unprecedented attempt to outlaw or severely restrict the use of an app that millions of people rely on.