What happens next with TikTok?
The video social media app isn’t disappearing from smartphones any time soon. The legislative process is still in its early stages after the House’s passage of a bill mandating a sale by the app’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, or be banned. Next, the bill is heading to a skeptical Senate, after which President Biden would need to sign it into law. Even after that, it might not happen.
Here’s what to expect.
What happens next in the legislative process?
The bill needs to be approved by the Senate, which could also make changes to the text of the legislation.
Several senators have already raised concerns about the legislation as it is currently written. For example, because the bill’s text explicitly names TikTok and ByteDance, some are worried it could violate a part of the Constitution that bars Congress from targeting specific entities with legislation. (The bill’s supporters say this will not be an issue.)
Several prominent senators who could help decide whether the legislation moves forward have been noncommittal. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, hasn’t said if he will bring it up for a vote. His spokesman did not respond to a question about his plans.
Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington, a Democrat and chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said in a statement that she would be speaking with “Senate and House colleagues to try to find a path forward that is constitutional and protects civil liberties.”
Will TikTok be banned immediately if the bill becomes a law?
