Sen. McConnell Backs TikTok Divestiture

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said April 8 that Congress should require China’s ByteDance to divest TikTok because the popular social media application is "beholden to our foremost strategic competitor."

McConnell said the Chinese government can use the app to spread dangerous propaganda and gain access to U.S. users' personal information. “This is a matter that deserves Congress’ urgent attention,” he said in a Senate floor speech.

The House in March passed a bill to require the divestiture (see 2403050063), but some senators have questioned whether that approach is constitutional (see 2403150042). Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said April 5 that he will seek a “path forward” on TikTok legislation (see 2404050054).