Upholding National Security in the Digital Age

In the digital age, our lives are increasingly intertwined with digital platforms, necessitating innovative solutions to safeguard America's national security. On Wednesday, I cast my vote in favor of H.R. 7521, the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," which successfully passed the House with a final vote of 352 to 65. This bipartisan legislation marks a vital step in protecting our national security from digital threats, particularly those posed by foreign entities like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Prior to the bill's consideration, TikTok disseminated misinformation and encouraged its users to contact their Congressional representatives to oppose the bill, before being allowed to use the app. However, it's important to clarify that this legislation is not about banning TikTok or infringing on free speech. Instead, it requires companies, such as TikTok, to divest from ownership with connections to foreign adversaries—specifically, China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia—before operating within the U.S. The legislation's focus is squarely on national security and does not seek to limit content.

Evidence provided by the FBI and DOJ conclusively shows that the CCP exploits TikTok to harvest data from Americans and disseminate propaganda. TikTok's reach to over 170 million users in the U.S., many of whom are youth, the potential risk is too significant to overlook.

As a Member of Congress, I am committed to protecting the United States' national security. The CCP's attempts to spy on Americans and indoctrinate our children will not be tolerated. Our responsibility to safeguard the nation extends to the digital domain.