US TikTok ban bill is going nowhere fast in the Senate
- US senators are resisting a repeat of fast passage by the House of Representatives
- The measure should face a ‘full amendment process,’ Republican Ted Cruz says
US senators from both sides of the aisle swatted down the idea of fast-tracking legislation that would force TikTok’s Chinese owner to sell the video-sharing app within six months, reducing its prospects of becoming law.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, said he supported separating TikTok from the influence of the Chinese government but warned that the deadline in the bill to sell it or shut down its US operations would be too short.
Texas Republican Ted Cruz, who sits on the Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the measure, said the Senate should refer it to the panel for further work.
03:10
Protests at US Congress after House passes bill that could potentially ban TikTok nationwide
That could tie it up for months, potentially killing it in an election year when lawmakers are eager to get back home to campaign.