Senator Cantwell Endorses Updated Measure to Force TikTok Divestment

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
18/04/2024 21h37

In a significant development, Senator Maria Cantwell, a key senator from Washington, has announced her support for an updated measure that could potentially lead to a ban on the popular social media app, TikTok, in the United States. The endorsement comes after Cantwell's previous opposition to the original version of the legislation, which sought to regulate TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

The updated measure, included in House Speaker Mike Johnson's foreign aid plan, requires ByteDance to divest its stake in TikTok within one year. This extended timeline provides ample opportunity for a new buyer to emerge. The original deadline of six months has been modified to nine months, with a possible three-month extension, addressing concerns raised by Cantwell and allowing sufficient time for a deal to be finalized.

Expressing her satisfaction with the revised legislation, Cantwell stated, "I'm very happy that Speaker Johnson and House leaders incorporated my recommendation to extend the ByteDance divestment period from six months to a year. As I've said, extending the divestment period is necessary to ensure there is enough time for a new buyer to get a deal done. I support the updated legislation."

While Cantwell's endorsement brings the measure one step closer to becoming law, questions regarding its constitutionality remain. Lawmakers have raised concerns about the bill and its potential legal challenges, indicating that further issues may emerge down the line.

It is notable that the updated bill also includes new sanctions on Iran, China, and Russia. The measure unveiled by House Speaker Johnson earlier this week is a four-part foreign aid plan encompassing wartime assistance for Ukraine and Israel. The plan allocates $26 billion to support Israel, $61 billion to bolster Ukraine, $8 billion to counter China in the Indo-Pacific, and the forced divestment of TikTok.

It remains to be seen whether this latest version of the measure will gain the necessary support in the Senate. While Senator Cantwell's endorsement clears one hurdle faced by previous TikTok-related measures, the bill's constitutional concerns and potential opposition from other lawmakers could present further challenges.

For now, however, Senator Cantwell's support signifies a significant development in the ongoing effort to address national security concerns regarding TikTok, and it will be a crucial factor in shaping the future of the legislation.

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