Arrr, McConnell be shoutin' 'bout TikTok bill like it be a galleon under attack by China sea monsters! Arrr!
2024-04-08
Arrr! The scallywag McConnell be shoutin' from the poop deck fer the Senate to be dealin' with this TikTok trouble, lest we be fallin' victim to some national security shenanigans! Aye, me hearties, hoist the sails and prepare for battle against these digital rascals!
In a floor speech on Monday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., highlighted the urgent need for the Senate to address the security threat posed by TikTok, a popular social media app owned by a Chinese company. McConnell emphasized the importance of taking bipartisan steps to remove this tool of coercion and espionage from American homes, as Beijing continues to threaten U.S. security. Legislation passed in the House with overwhelming support, aiming to force the sale of TikTok to a non-Chinese entity, but the bill now faces uncertainty in the Senate.Despite calls for urgent action from McConnell and other senators, including Senate Intel committee Chair Mark Warner, D-Va., the bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for further review. Progress on the bill appears to be stalled as Senate leadership and committee chairs prioritize public hearings over expedited passage.McConnell refuted claims that the TikTok bill violates the First Amendment, emphasizing that the focus is on conduct rather than speech. He argued that divesting Beijing-influenced entities from TikTok aligns with constitutional precedent, urging his colleagues to prioritize national security over political considerations.