An effort by the US Congress to force TikTok’s Chinese owner to divest the app has gained steam after House Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled legislation to help send aid to Ukraine that could compel the Senate to act on the measure.
The Republican Speaker said the House would vote on separate funding bills — for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan — and another bill that includes measures to confront China, Russia and Iran. It would contain language on the popular video-sharing platform that is almost identical to a previous measure that easily passed the House last month but has languished in the Senate.
Assuming the House approves the bills when they come up for votes on Saturday, they would be bundled into one package and sent to the Senate, according to people familiar with the plan. That would significantly boost the odds that the Senate passes the measure, since many senators will be reluctant to scupper military funding for Ukraine.