WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that’s expected to face legal challenges and disrupt the lives of content creators who rely on the short-form video app for income.
The TikTok legislation was included as part of a larger $95 billion package that provides foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel and was passed 79-18. It now goes to President Joe Biden, who said in a statement immediately after passage that he will sign it Wednesday.
A decision made by House Republicans last week to attach the TikTok bill to the high-priority package helped expedite its passage in Congress and came after negotiations with the Senate, where an earlier version of the bill had stalled. That version had given TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, six months to divest its stakes in the platform. But it drew skepticism from some key lawmakers concerned it was too short of a window for a complex deal that could be worth tens of billions of dollars.
Inside Kate Middleton's sweet annual midnight tradition for Prince Louis' birthday
Cabinet vows to deliver on policy pledges
FM trip to aid stability in Asia
Kid Cudi says he broke 'something in my heel' after falling off stage during his last
Officials from central government, HKSAR refute Western media reports on Article 23
China strengthens punishment of corrupt practices
Luke Bryan takes a surprise tumble on stage in Vancouver
Enduring friendship with Xi fosters U.S.
PepsiCo beats Q1 revenue forecasts as price increases moderate
Top legislator addresses closing meeting of China's annual legislative session