These US Lawmakers Voted for TikTok Ban But Use It Themselves

Some House representatives who voted to potentially ban TikTok in the United States still have accounts on the Chinese social media platform that they continue to use, a Newsweek investigation has found.

On March 13, the House voted 352-65 in favor of a bill that would force TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the company in six months or risk having the popular app banned in the United States.

The app has sparked privacy concerns due to ByteDance's alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The company and other critics of the legislation argue that the bill would amount to a ban of the app and would raise concerns about freedom of speech.

ByteDance has denied links to the Chinese government, along with claims that it shares user information with its Beijing-based parent company.

The bill, which is yet to receive Senate approval, would not ban TikTok outright upon its passage. Still, it is unclear if ByteDance, if it does comply with the U.S. government's demands, would sell the entirety of TikTok or just its U.S. operation.

If it doesn't, and any legal challenges fail to alter or disrupt the bill, then TikTok would no longer be available on U.S. app stores.

While some representatives have argued the bill does not amount to a ban, a spokesperson for TikTok told Newsweek that they disagreed.

"This process was secret and the bill was jammed through for one reason: it's a ban," they said.

"We are hopeful that the Senate will consider the facts, listen to their constituents, and realize the impact on the economy, 7 million small businesses, and the 170 million Americans who use our service."

Newsweek has now found that 12 representatives who approved the bill still have verified accounts on TikTok, some of which continue to be used.

The 12 representatives Newsweek found on TikTok with verified accounts are:

Most of the representatives Newsweek found on the platform have posted to their accounts in the past two-and-a-half months; five have done so since the bill was passed.

Four of these 12 representatives responded to Newsweek's requests for comment, most of whom argued that the bill was not an outright ban of TikTok.

In a statement sent to Newsweek, Rep. Adam Schiff, who posted on Monday, said he did not support a ban "while there are other less restrictive means available."

"The Chinese Communist Party's ability to exploit private user data and to manipulate public opinion through TikTok present serious national security concerns," Schiff said.

"For that reason, I believe that divestiture presents the best option to preserve access to the platform, while ameliorating these risks."

Rep. Landsman, who posted last Friday, said his office used TikTok to "engage with constituents" and that the bill's goal was not to ban TikTok but to "eliminate the threat to our children and families—and our national security—which we can do by forcing the sale of the platform away from a foreign adversary."

While Rep. Casten, who last posted on the platform on March 7, 2024, praised TikTok as an "important source of entertainment, commerce, self-expression, and news," he told Newsweek that "its ownership structure poses national security concerns that must be taken seriously."

Rep. Stansbury also praised the app, calling it a "powerful tool for sharing information and connecting our communities and the world," arguing it was therefore "crucial" that it did not become a tool for "foreign surveillance and disinformation here in the United States."

"Freedom of speech is the foundation of our democracy and must be safeguarded from the dangers of potential interference by those who may wish us harm," Stansbury added.

"As a matter of national security, that is why it is important that this platform be operated in the U.S. in a way that can ensure the safety and security of our people and our nation."

Another seven unverified accounts were found that appeared to belong to lawmakers, but could not be confirmed as of the time of publication.

Newsweek has contacted the office of the representatives associated with these accounts via email for comment.

As confirmed by their offices, Newsweek also found imposter accounts for Jim Jordan (R-OH), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Steve Scalise (R-LA), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Michael Waltz (R-FL), Mary E. Miller (R-IL), Chip Roy (R-TX), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Kat Cammack (R-FL), and Salud Carbajal (D-CA), all of whom approved the TikTok bill last month.

Three other members who voted were listed in a 2023 report by the New Jersey Monitor naming lawmakers who had accounts as of January last year. These were Shontel Brown (D-OH), John Garamendi (D-CA), and Donald Payne Jr. (D-NH). Newsweek could not find verified accounts for these members and has emailed their offices for comment.

While it's understood that Rep. Garamendi had an account that has since been deleted, he told Newsweek, "I do not have a TikTok account because I have serious concerns about the app's security implications."

What Happens next?

President Joe Biden has said he would sign the bill if it passes the Senate, although it is not clear when that vote will take place.

The White House has reportedly put pressure on the Senate to move quickly, but according to Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell—who is against the bill—the current version may be altered or thrown out altogether.

"The whole issue is constitutionality, making sure it upholds the court," the Democratic politician said in March.

"We want our government to have a very strong tool to stop nefarious actions."