Why U.S. House Members Opposed the TikTok Ban Bill

What do House Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Barbara Lee have in common with House Republicans like Thomas Massie and Andy Biggs? Not a lot. But they do know an unconstitutional bill when they see one.

These and others on both sides of the aisle were among the 65 House Members who voted “no” yesterday on the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” H.R. 7521, which would effectively ban TikTok. The bill now goes to the Senate, where we hope cooler heads will prevail in demanding comprehensive data privacy legislation instead of this attack on Americans’ First Amendment rights.

We’re saying plenty about this misguided, unfounded bill, and we want you to speak out about it too, but we thought you should see what some of the House Members who opposed it said, in their own words.

I am voting NO on the TikTok ban.

Rather than target one company in a rushed and secretive process, Congress should pass comprehensive data privacy protections and do a better job of informing the public of the threats these companies may pose to national security.

— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) March 13, 2024

Today, I voted against the so-called “TikTok Bill.”

Here’s why: pic.twitter.com/Kbyh6hEhhj

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— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) March 13, 2024

Today, I voted against H.R. 7521. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/9QCFQ2yj5Q

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— Rep. Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) March 13, 2024

Today I claimed 20 minutes in opposition to the TikTok ban bill, and yielded time to several likeminded colleagues.

This bill gives the President far too much authority to determine what Americans can see and do on the internet.

This is my closing statement, before I voted No. pic.twitter.com/xMxp9bU18t

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— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) March 13, 2024

Why I voted no on the bill to potentially ban tik tok: pic.twitter.com/OGkfdxY8CR

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— Jim Himes 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@jahimes) March 13, 2024

I don’t use TikTok. I find it unwise to do so. But after careful review, I’m a no on this legislation.

This bill infringes on the First Amendment and grants undue power to the administrative state. pic.twitter.com/oSpmYhCrV8

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— Rep. Dan Bishop (@RepDanBishop) March 13, 2024

I’m voting NO on the TikTok forced sale bill.

This bill was incredibly rushed, from committee to vote in 4 days, with little explanation.

There are serious antitrust and privacy questions here, and any national security concerns should be laid out to the public prior to a vote.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 13, 2024

We should defend the free & open debate that our First Amendment protects. We should not take that power AWAY from the people & give it to the government. The answer to authoritarianism is NOT more authoritarianism. The answer to CCP-style propaganda is NOT CCP-style oppression. pic.twitter.com/z9HWgUSMpw

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— Tom McClintock (@RepMcClintock) March 13, 2024

I’m voting no on the TikTok bill. Here’s why:
1) It was rushed.
2) There’s major free speech issues.
3) It would hurt small businesses.
4) America should be doing way more to protect data privacy & combatting misinformation online. Singling out one app isn’t the answer.

— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) March 13, 2024

Solve the correct problem.
Privacy.
Surveillance.
Content moderation.

Who owns #TikTok?
60% investors – including Americans
20% +7,000 employees – including Americans
20% founders
CEO & HQ Singapore
Data in Texas held by Oracle

What changes with ownership? I’ll be voting NO. pic.twitter.com/MrfROe02IS

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— Warren Davidson 🇺🇸 (@WarrenDavidson) March 13, 2024

I voted no on the bill to force the sale of TikTok. Unlike our adversaries, we believe in freedom of speech and don’t ban social media platforms. Instead of this rushed bill, we need comprehensive data security legislation that protects all Americans.

— Val Hoyle (@RepValHoyle) March 13, 2024

Please tell the Senate to reject this bill and instead give Americans the comprehensive data privacy protections we so desperately need.

TAKE ACTION

TELL CONGRESS: DON’T BAN TIKTOK