The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that could lead to a nationwide ban on TikTok if its China-based owners do not sell the platform.
Lawmakers are reacting to concerns that TikTok's current parent company poses a threat to national security.
It is one of the most widely used apps in the world, with an estimated 170 million users in the US alone.
According to the app, there are 7 million small businesses in the U.S. that rely on TikTok.
“It's changed our lives tremendously,” said Kyla Henry, a DFW mother of three with about 900,000 TikTok followers.
She makes a living through brand partnerships and uses TikTok to market her lifestyle brand, where she sells handbags and wallets.
“Just being able to travel more freely, spend more time with my family, raise my kids, be home and work together is just amazing,” Henry said.
Brian Firebaugh uses TikTok to sell cows and beef from his ranch in central Texas. He is currently in Washington, D.C., trying to tell lawmakers about the positive aspects of TikTok.
“TikTok was truly the platform for us to not only start our business as first-generation ranchers, but to grow and sustain us,” Firebaugh said.
He said he may have to go back to work if TikTok's ban becomes a reality.
“It's probably going to set us back about 10 years,” he said. “We'll have to do it again.”
Henry is also worried about the repercussions.
“It would be really scary, to be honest,” she said. “Of course it's going to be scary. But for me, I know that no matter what, I'm going to keep trying to do my best in any situation. I'm going to keep pushing Instagram and YouTube, but TikTok… It's just like that.'' It's a different vibe and a lot of fun, and you get to really get creative and use your voice. ”
The House-approved bill would require the app to break with Chinese parent company ByteDance within 180 days or face a ban in the U.S. The bill passed on a bipartisan vote of 352. It passed with a vote of 65 votes.
A TikTok spokesperson issued the following statement in response to the news: “This process took place in secret, and this bill stalled for one reason: prohibition. 170 million Americans use our services. ”
Those who use the app to make a living say the battle is far from over.
“Until today, many people didn't even want to pay any attention to this,” Henry said. “Today, I think it's something that's starting to get to people's hearts. This could really get banned.”
It's unclear when the Senate will consider the House TikTok bill.
Content creators are calling on people to contact their senators and tell them how they would like to be voted on.
