Last week, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced a proposal “to deny federal funds to any individual or entity if it has an agreement, partnership, or advertisement with TikTok.”
Rubio unveiled the “No Funds for Enablers of Adversarial Propaganda Act,” and his office offered some of the reasons behind the proposal.
“America’s top intelligence officials confirmed Chinese-owned TikTok is a threat to our national security, and the app is now banned on most federal devices. Yet recipients of federal funds—including airports, train stations, universities, and more—continue to partner and advertise with TikTok,” Rubio’s office noted.
Rubio weighed in on the bill on Friday.
“Chinese-owned TikTok is a threat, but some entities, including our nation’s airports, are still willing to accept advertising dollars from the company. They are either naive, greedy, or both. Regardless, they shouldn’t receive taxpayer dollars if they are going to accept money from or partner with TikTok. These companies need to stop enabling Chinese Communist Party propaganda and espionage efforts,” said Rubio.
So far, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, is the only co-sponsor of the proposal.
“Make no mistake – TikTok is an insidious platform weaponized by the Chinese Communist Party to snoop on Americans and negatively influence our children. This bill rightfully ensures that American taxpayers aren’t forced to foot the bill for ads that bolster the CCP’s toxic platform. I’ll always fight to protect taxpayer dollars and our national security,” said Ernst.
The bill was sent to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. So far, there is no companion measure over in the U.S. House.
Last month, Rubio brought back the “Averting the National Threat of Internet Surveillance, Oppressive Censorship and Influence, and Algorithmic Learning by the Chinese Communist Party (ANTI-SOCIAL CCP) Act” which would “ban TikTok and other similar apps from operating in the United States.”
Rubio’s proposal “would protect Americans by blocking and prohibiting all transactions from any social media company in, or under the influence of, China, Russia, and several other foreign countries of concern unless they fully divest of dangerous foreign ownership.” U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, is co-sponsoring the bill.
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