Buck called TikTok a “serious national security threat” in a speech Monday before the vote, saying the data the company collects from American consumers “could be used in a cyber attack on our republic” if shared with Chinese government officials.
Whats Next: The House is expected to approve its version of the NDAA on Tuesday. The Senate will likely pass its bill later this week. The two houses will resolve their differences in a joint conference committee.
Elsewhere in Washington: Calls to crack down on the social network are gaining momentum. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs is slated to consider legislation by Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) And Rick Scott (R-Fla.), S. 3455 (116), reflecting the NDAA led by Buck. Amendment to ban the use of TikTok on federal devices. With House approval and a committee vote set for the Senate, the ban could soon become law in the U.S.
Meanwhile, senior Trump administration officials have said they are considering a broader ban on TikTok and other China-linked apps, and that action may be imminent. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo first revealed those discussions and told Fox News: “We are certainly seeing it.” And White House chief of staff Mark Meadows recently said the administration is weighing action against the app, adding that the measure is expected to drop in “weeks, not months.”
