Gallagher says it’s ‘disgusting’ former lawmakers are lobbying for TikTok

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), chairman of the House Select Committee on the Communist Party of China, on Sunday called lobbying for a bill that could ban TikTok “disgusting,” especially the involvement of former members of Congress. pointed out.

“There’s an unprecedented lobbying effort going on. They’re really weaponizing the swamp against legislative action,” Gallagher said in an interview on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.” , referring to the efforts of its China-based parent company ByteDance.

“More than $500,000 was spent in the last quarter alone on seven different lobbying firms. It’s disgusting. A former congressman is lobbying on behalf of TikTok. That should be illegal, by the way. Members of Congress should not be allowed to lobby on behalf of foreign enemies, let alone in general.

Last Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted 352-65 to pass a bill that would force ByteDance to sell TikTok within 165 days or risk the app being banned in the United States. The bill is currently before the Senate, but its fate remains uncertain.

The bill’s passage in the House comes in the wake of growing concerns about China’s influence on TikTok. Supporters of the bill say it is aimed at curbing the national security threat posed by ByteDance, which could potentially share sensitive data of U.S. users with the Chinese government. They also raise concerns about the Chinese government’s ability to control what content viewers consume, and the potential for this to significantly influence Beijing’s political views.

The bill also passed despite intense lobbying. Including former members of parliament. It passed with strong bipartisan support, despite vocal opposition from both sides of the aisle.

Former President Trump, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, was the most prominent right-wing opponent of the bill. He cited concerns that the ban could benefit rival social media company Facebook.

Trump’s opposition to a potential ban on TikTok came after meeting with Jeff Yass, a major Republican donor and investor in TikTok. President Trump said Yass did not bring up TikTok during the conversation.

TikTok is also urging users to contact members of Congress to pressure them to oppose the bill.

Mr. Gallagher on Sunday remained optimistic about the bill’s chances of passage, praising bipartisan cooperation with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthy (D-Ill.), the top Democrat on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. It pointed out. They worked together to pass the bill.

“I think the fact that we got the votes, we got a really big bipartisan vote of 352 votes in the House, is impossible to ignore,” Gallagher said. “And that’s a testament to Raja’s leadership and the fact that we were able to come together at a time when the parties didn’t trust each other on anything. Going back and forth between different presidents and different executive orders. It would be far better for Congress to step up and legislate a solution so there is no such thing. That is a recipe for chaos.”