Democratic lawmakers are opposed to legislation targeting TikTok because they fear they will “outrage” and lose young voters, a Republican expert told Fox News Digital.
The House of Representatives recently passed a bill in a nearly bipartisan vote of 352-65 that would require TikTok to break away from the control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or face a ban in the United States. It was approved. The bill would block TikTok in the U.S. unless its parent company, ByteDance, withdraws from TikTok within 165 days of its passage.
Critics have long raised concerns that social media apps pose a national security threat. They are concerned that the Chinese government could use its influence over ByteDance to obtain sensitive user data, even in the United States, a charge the company denies.
Republican critics say they oppose the bill because it could harm efforts to mobilize young voters.
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Former Vice President Mike Pence said Democrats feared angering young voters by targeting TikTok. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“Democrats have made the demographics of the electorate the moral compass of the party,” former Vice President Mike Pence, founder of Advancing American Freedom, told Fox News Digital. “They abandoned Israel for voters in Michigan. Many are refusing to support a bill that would separate TikTok from the Chinese Communist Party for fear of infuriating young voters.”
“Congress must work to pass this bill as soon as possible to protect Americans’ data from the growing threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party.” “National security continues beyond November 5th.”
A Republican strategist who spoke with Fox News Digital on background echoed Pence’s sentiments, adding that some Democratic politicians have acted hypocritically in this process.
“Democrats oppose banning TikTok not because it’s a bad law, but because it’s a useful political tool,” said a Republican strategist. “TikTok is a total national security threat, and we’re seeing hypocritical Democrats like:” [Rep.] For example, Arizona’s Ruben Gallego is touting national security while voting to protect Chinese Communist Party apps. ”
In the House, the bill is being passed by Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Maxwell Frost of Florida, Jamaal Bowman of New York, Cori Bush of Missouri, and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts. It faced opposition from progressive lawmakers.
A total of 50 Democrats and 15 Republicans opposed the House bill.
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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.Y.) answers questions from reporters outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol on November 28, 2023 in Washington, DC. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
“This is another classic case of Democrats bowing to the progressive mob instead of doing what’s right for the country,” Ryan Walker, executive vice president of Heritage Action, told Fox News Digital. “Conservatives have consistently warned for years about TikTok that it is a Chinese spying tool that puts the Chinese Communist Party in the pockets of 170 million Americans.”
“Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called for a forced divestment of TikTok from the Chinese Communist Party in 2020. Now, a bipartisan bill to do just that has passed the House with more than 350 votes. He’s not going to commit to doing that ‘on the Senate floor,’ Walker said. “The only thing that has changed since then is the party affiliation of this person in the White House and their desire to reelect him.”
The bill could put President Biden in a tight spot. In early February, his re-election campaign took to TikTok to appeal to younger voters after the government banned Chinese-owned apps from federal devices, citing security concerns.
“TikTok is a Chinese Communist Party-backed espionage and propaganda tool targeting 170 million U.S. users,” said Michael Rucci, founder and CEO of State Armor Action. “I’m doing it,” he told Fox News Digital. “That’s why the House bill banning China’s ownership of TikTok passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority, and why President Biden himself has said he intends to sign the bill once it’s introduced.”
“I look forward to Senate Democrats working with their colleagues in the House and the Executive Branch to do what is right for the American people by selling China’s greatest propaganda vehicle to American companies,” Rucci said. “We are committed to educating the public about the dangers of TikTok and will continue to push for meaningful action to keep our country safe.”
State Armor Action recently launched a multi-million dollar campaign targeting TikTok.
Meanwhile, a slim majority of Americans support the bill. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that 51% support the bill and 41% support a complete national ban. 47% of voters said they opposed the latter move.
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A TikTok spokesperson said the bill is a “prohibition.” (Fox News Digital)
But younger Americans are far more likely to defend TikTok. Among 18- to 34-year-olds, 60% opposed the House bill, while 35% supported it.
“This process was conducted in secret, and this bill stalled for one reason: banning,” a TikTok spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “We want the Senate to consider the facts, listen to our constituents, and recognize the impact on our economy, our 7 million small businesses, and the 170 million Americans who use our services. I look forward to it.”
While many Republicans have resisted using TikTok due to data security concerns, a growing number of Democrats are embracing the platform.
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A States Newsroom analysis last year found that at least 32 members of Congress (all Democrats but one independent) had TikTok accounts. At least half of these members “currently serve or previously served on committees dealing with foreign affairs, the U.S. military, investigations, and national security.”
Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
