Senate Commerce Chair Endorses Bill That Could Expel TikTok From US

The legislation prohibits entities deemed sufficiently owned or controlled by individuals within an adversary country from operating within the United States.

The TikTok logo is displayed at the TikTok offices in Culver City, Calif., on March 12, 2024. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) signified her support on April 17 for a bill to force TikTok to divest from its Chinese ownership or lose the ability to operate within the United States.

A bill, dubbed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a 352–65 vote on March 13. The bill passed at the time with the support of 197 Republicans and 155 Democrats, while 50 Democrats and 15 Republicans voted against it.