The swift passage this week of legislation to force the sale or ban of TikTok was the first time a federal tech law has been approved in years, marking a rare bipartisan moment in Congress. The bill, driven by concerns over national security and the app’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, created a unique sense of urgency among lawmakers.
After years of promises to rein in Big Tech, Congress finally made a move with the TikTok legislation, combining it with a must-pass aid package for Ukraine and Israel to prompt the Senate to pass it. This rapid progress, taking only seven weeks from start to finish, was a stark departure from the usual gridlock that has plagued tech legislation efforts in the past.
However, experts caution that this momentum may be short-lived. Lawmakers continue to squabble over the details of legislative proposals, and powerful lobbying efforts from Silicon Valley giants could stall further progress. With the November election looming, legislators may be hesitant to rock the boat with new tech legislation.
Despite bipartisan support for many tech issues, including privacy, child safety, and antitrust concerns, Congress has struggled to pass meaningful legislation in recent years. The last tech law was passed in 2018, highlighting the challenges of navigating the complex landscape of Big Tech regulation.
As the 2024 election approaches, the window for passing new tech legislation is narrowing. Voters are divided along party lines on the specific issues facing the tech industry, further complicating efforts to move forward with comprehensive regulation.
While the passage of the TikTok legislation was a significant step forward, the road ahead for tech regulation remains uncertain. With political divides and powerful lobbying interests at play, the future of tech legislation in Congress is far from certain.
