US House Votes to Ban TikTok If It Fails to Sever Ties with China

Voting on major bills regarding Ukraine and Israel was pending at the time. These bills had been the result of months of contentious negotiations, pressure from US allies, and numerous pleas for assistance from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The previous Republican House speaker lost his position due to spending bills, and funding for Ukraine has been a focal point of partisan disputes. At the behest of President Joe Biden, around $8 billion was earmarked to counter China by investing in submarine infrastructure and enhancing competition with Beijing on projects in developing nations.

Another provision would compel TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company ByteDance or face a nationwide ban in the United States, where it boasts approximately 170 million users. Western officials have expressed concern over TikTok’s popularity among young people, alleging its ties to Beijing and its role in spreading propaganda – accusations that the company has refuted.

In a statement issued on Friday, the White House stated its strong support for the legislation. The United States has been a primary military supporter of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, but large-scale funding for the country has not been approved by Congress for nearly 18 months due to political discord.

Republicans, swayed by party leader Donald Trump, have been hesitant to provide funding to Kyiv for the prolonged conflict. Amidst months of indecision, there was finally backing from Johnson for a $61 billion package for Ukraine, encompassing economic assistance and weaponry.

The bill also permits Biden to confiscate and sell Russian assets, using the proceeds to finance reconstruction in Ukraine. This move has been endorsed by other G7 nations.

Additionally, $13 billion in military assistance has been allocated for Israel in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The majority of this funding will be utilized to bolster Israel’s Iron Dome air defenses, while over $9 billion will be directed towards addressing the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Gaza and other vulnerable populations globally.

It is anticipated that passage of these bills in the House will receive a warm reception from US allies, even though it may lead to the ousting of the Republican House speaker by a faction of far-right isolationist lawmakers. (*Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.

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