Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) voiced opposition to the proposed TikTok ban, labeling it illogical. He drew parallels between the ban and actions taken by the Chinese language authorities, suggesting it could mirror the authoritarian ways it goals to counter.
“TikTok is banned in China,” Paul mentioned.
“We’re pondering – or individuals who wish to ban it are pondering – Wow, we’re going to essentially defeat the Chinese language communists, by turning into Chinese language authoritarians and banning it in our nation? TikTok is banned in China. So, we’re going to emulate the Chinese language communists by banning it in our nation?”
“It is unnecessary in any respect,” he added.
Paul additional contended that sure People have investments in ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based mother or father firm. He criticized the ban, stating it could entail seizing property from People with out establishing any prison wrongdoing beforehand.
“We all know that the Chinese language authorities does demand issues, however we don’t know that any data actually goes from TikTok to any of those individuals in China,” he mentioned, noting {that a} provable crime is important to take property from People.
Not all lawmakers share Paul’s perspective on the proposed ban. The Home is poised to vote on Wednesday on a invoice that will compel ByteDance to divest TikTok inside 165 days of enactment, failing which may lead to a ban on U.S. app shops and hosting companies.
Home Republicans are utilizing a particular rule requiring a two-thirds majority for passage, as an alternative of the everyday easy majority.
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), chair of the Home Choose Committee on the Chinese language Communist Occasion and lead co-sponsor of the invoice, voiced optimism about its prospects, citing a powerful bipartisan assist base.
He highlighted the uncommon unanimous vote by the Home Power and Commerce Committee final Thursday as proof of broad backing for the measure.