The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote next week on legislation targeting TikTok, the popular short video app owned by China's ByteDance, which could face a U.S. ban if not divested within six months. This decision follows the Energy and Commerce Committee's unanimous 50-0 vote, marking a significant push towards a crackdown on TikTok, which boasts about 170 million U.S. users. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise announced the forthcoming vote, emphasizing the need for TikTok to sever ties with the Chinese Communist Party. TikTok has argued against the bill, stating it would effectively amount to a ban and violate Americans' Constitutional rights to free expression.

This move comes amidst concerns over national security due to TikTok's Chinese ownership. Legislators received a classified briefing on these concerns, with Representative Frank Pallone expressing hope that the law would enable Americans to use TikTok and similar platforms without the risk of foreign control. The bill, introduced by Representatives Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi, aims to address these security concerns without outright banning the app, suggesting a divestiture could allow TikTok to continue operations in the U.S.

The proposal has sparked debate, with TikTok users urging lawmakers to oppose the measure. The bill's passage could also have implications for other foreign-owned apps like Tencent's WeChat. If ByteDance fails to divest, app stores would be legally prohibited from offering TikTok or providing services to ByteDance-controlled applications. The White House has expressed support for the bill, highlighting the administration's desire to address the national security threats posed by foreign-owned apps. However, achieving bipartisan support and passing the legislation in an election year may prove challenging.