The bill is the latest threat to the app, which has been downloaded 170 million times in the United States despite critics’ concerns about data security and its Chinese connections. The bill would not directly ban TikTok but would force its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app or face restrictions that could bar it from U.S. app stores.
While the bill could be on track for a floor vote in the House, where it has gained the support of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), the Senate has yet to introduce companion legislation. It would need to pass both chambers before reaching Biden’s desk. Previous White House statements have been more tentative about support for the effort.
But while Biden voiced support for the bill, his Republican rival, Donald Trump, who’d pushed for a TikTok ban while in office, said Thursday night he no longer thinks it’s a good idea.
“If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business,” he said in a post on his platform Truth Social, referring to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. He called Facebook “a true enemy of the people,” but didn’t explain his reasoning.
Opponents of the bill, including civil liberties groups, have said it would impinge on the freedom of expression of TikTok’s millions of American users and would violate the Constitution. Last year, a federal judge blocked Montana’s attempt to ban the app statewide, citing saying it was unconstitutional for a variety of reasons.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who blocked a similar bill last year, citing its impact on free expression. “We should beware of those who use fear to coax Americans to relinquish our liberties,” Paul said at the time.
Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) said Friday that he still harbors concerns about “the constitutionality of an approach that names specific companies,” but will be “taking a close look” at the bill.
“I’ve said all along that I’m willing to work with anyone — Republican or Democrat — who takes this threat seriously,” Warner said in a statement.
Ellen Nakashima contributed to this report.