Rep. Van Drew tells Newsmax that the TikTok Bill doesn’t prohibit content

The recently passed House bill would require ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, to divest its U.S. assets within six months or face a ban. Representative Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., clarified that this move does not restrict content or impede free speech.

“Nothing is being banned or censored, no content is restricted, and freedom of speech is not affected. It’s important to note that I strongly support the First Amendment. However, this situation is different because this company has ties to China, where they are collecting information about various aspects of America,” Van Drew explained during an interview on Newsmax’s “Saturday Agenda.”

“Some of this information is sensitive, and when you see the classified materials, it raises concerns about their intentions.”

“It’s like if they were buying land next to sensitive military locations or flying a spy balloon. The bill simply requires them to divest from their Chinese connections, find American partners, and continue operating freely. This bill applies not only to China but also to Russia and North Korea, who are engaging in similar activities.”

The bipartisan bill passed in the House with a vote of 352-65, but its future in the Senate is uncertain. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that the Senate will review the legislation.

This measure is part of a broader effort in Washington to address U.S. national security concerns related to China’s involvement in various industries.

The fate of TikTok, which is used by approximately 170 million Americans, has become a significant issue in Washington, with lawmakers receiving numerous calls from TikTok users opposing the legislation.

Van Drew emphasized that the goal of the bill is to prevent “nefarious and harmful activities against America and its citizens.”

This report includes information from Reuters.

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