They requested a 90-day extension, highlighting concerns over free expression and the uncertain legal future of the law mandating the divestment, Reuters reported.
The Supreme Court announced it will hear arguments on January 10 regarding a legal challenge filed by ByteDance and TikTok, which are seeking an injunction to prevent the ban or forced sale.
“Given the law’s uncertain future and its consequences for free expression, we urge you to trigger the 90-day extension before January 19,” the senators wrote to Biden.
As per the Reuters report, neither the White House nor TikTok commented on the senators’ appeal. The legal challenge follows a ruling by a lower court that upheld the law, passed by Congress in April and signed by Biden.
The Justice Department has argued that TikTok poses a “national-security threat of immense depth and scale,” citing its access to user data and potential content manipulation. TikTok denies the allegations, stating it poses no immediate threat to U.S. security.
TikTok and ByteDance argue the law violates free speech protections under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, in a brief submitted to the Supreme Court, urged the justices to reject any delay, comparing TikTok to a “hardened criminal.”
Meanwhile, other senators, including Republican Josh Hawley and Democrat Richard Blumenthal, insist ByteDance must comply with the law.
Adding to the uncertainty, Republican President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office on January 20, has changed his stance on TikTok. After unsuccessfully attempting to ban the app in 2020, Trump now expresses support for it. “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok,” he said this week, promising to review the issue.
The Supreme Court’s decision and Biden’s response to the extension request will determine TikTok’s fate in the U.S., as the January 19 deadline looms.
(With Reuters inputs)
(Edited by : Sheersh Kapoor)
