H.R. 7521 is NOT a TikTok ban

This week, I voted for, and the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, by a vote of 352 to 65. I understand that there are millions of TikTok users across the nation, however, it is important to dispel some of the exploitive fear-mongering tactics that TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have been using to influence users over the last week. 

H.R. 7521 is NOT a TikTok ban. This bipartisan bill protects Americans from national security risks posed by social media apps owned by foreign adversaries of the United States. If an app is determined to be owned by a company controlled by a foreign adversary, such as ByteDance, the application must be divested from foreign adversary control or face a prohibition on app store availability and web hosting services in the United States. 

If the application is divested, there are no restrictions, and the application may continue to operate in the United States. This bill addresses the immediate national security threat posed by TikTok and establishes a framework for our nation to ensure other apps subject to control of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea do not threaten our national security now or in the future.  

Unfortunately, TikTok –through ByteDance – is used by China to surveil and manipulate the minds of more than 150 million Americans through their algorithm, amplifying pro-Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-sanctioned propaganda and suppressing anti-CCP perspectives. In fact, a December report from Network Contagion Research Institute at Rutgers University found that TikTok “systematically promotes or demotes content on the basis of whether it is aligned with or opposed to the interests of the Chinese Government.” This includes censoring videos that mention Tiananmen Square, repression of China’s Uyghur minority community, suppressing videos critical of the Chinese Government, to even suppressing pro-Israel and pro-Ukraine videos. 

It is an extreme threat to free speech and national security of our nation for an app that one-third of U.S. adults under 30 (including minor children) use to get their news to have this level of censorship and control by the CCP. I was proud to vote in support of the legislation the House passed this week because it is essential to protect the American people from undue foreign influence and ensure that our citizens are not improperly targeted, surveilled, or influenced by a foreign adversary—whether on TikTok or any other app. 

Weekly Wrap Up

It was promising to hear from so many of our youngest constituents to get involved in the political process. As we clarify the intentions of Congress regarding TikTok, one thing is clear: Americans want their data and privacy protected.

Iowans in D.C.

It is always great to meet with Iowans while they are in Washington! It truly is my favorite part of serving in Congress. Speaking to residents of the First District allows me to stay informed of what is going on in their communities and what I can do to help.

It's always a pleasure to host Dennis Hanser of Wilton Precision Steel in Washington. We must ways to ensure the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System under the U.S. Commerce Department is maintaining accurate data regarding steel imports

I had the opportunity to host the Iowa Soybean Association to discuss the importance of the Farm Bill and support around my legislation, the Biochar Research Network Act of 2023.

I had the pleasure of meeting with the American Diabetes Association and Miss Iowa 2023, Alysa Goethe. We had a great discussion around access to anti-obesity medications and insulin affordability.

I had a great meeting with Iowa AIPAC members to discuss Israel’s ongoing efforts to defeat Hamas and the need for unwavering U.S. support for Israel’s right to self defense.

20 County Tour

It is always great to meet with Iowans as I travel across the First District! It truly is my favorite part of serving in Congress. Speaking to Iowans allows me to stay informed about what is happening in their communities and what I can do to help.

Winfield Mayor Willie Bender and City Clerk Angie Oepping showed me how the CPF grant we secured for Winfield would upgrade the Wastewater Treatment Facility bringing it into EPA compliance. Blowers powered by solar panels make it cost neutral, further reducing operational costs with savings passed on.

I had a delightful time at the Fairfield Chamber After Hours Business Mixer. I spoke with Mayor Connie Boyer, former Mayor Ed Malloy, Stuart about biochar and Melanie regarding CPF grants. It was a great way to cap off my district tour.

Floor Speeches

We cannot continue to ignore the aggressive overreach of the Biden administration and the mounting border crisis.

The University of Iowa women’s basketball team won their third consecutive Big Ten tournament title! Congratulations, and go Hawks! 

Legislative Roundup

This week, I voted in favor of the following legislation:

H.R. 7521, the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," legislation that prohibits distributing, maintaining, or providing internet hosting services for a foreign adversary controlled application. However, the prohibition does not apply to a covered application that executes a qualified divestiture as determined by the President.

H. Res. 1065, "Denouncing the Biden administration's immigration policies."

H.R. 6276, the "USE IT Act," legislation that requires the Office of Management and Budget and the General Services Administration to establish standard methodologies and identify technologies to measure federal building utilization and to use both to evaluate and consolidate public buildings and federally-leased space.

H.R. 886, the "Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act," legislation that revises provisions governing the administration of the Marine Debris Foundation and the Marine Debris Program. Specifically, the bill allows the foundation to locate its principal office outside of the District of Columbia and encourages the foundation to locate it in a coastal state.

H.R. 1752, the "E-BRIDGE Act," legislation that authorizes the Department of Commerce to award economic development grants for public-private partnerships and certain consortiums to carry out specified broadband projects.

Sincerely,