HR-7521 : Still Just a Bill

Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act

This bill prohibits distributing, maintaining, or providing internet hosting services for a foreign adversary controlled application (e.g., TikTok). However, the prohibition does not apply to a covered application that executes a qualified divestiture as determined by the President.

Under the bill, a foreign adversary controlled application is directly or indirectly operated by (1) ByteDance, Ltd. or TikTok (including subsidiaries or successors that are controlled by a foreign adversary); or (2) a social media company that is controlled by a foreign adversary and has been determined by the President to present a significant threat to national security. The prohibition does not apply to an application that is primarily used to post product reviews, business reviews, or travel information and reviews.

The bill authorizes the Department of Justice to investigate violations of the bill and enforce the bill's provisions. Entities that violate the bill are subject to civil penalties based on the number of users.

The bill requires a covered application to provide a user with all available account data (including posts, photos, and videos) at the user's request before the prohibition takes effect.

The bill gives the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction over any challenge to the bill. Further, a challenge to the bill must be brought within 165 days after the bill's enactment date. A challenge to any action, finding, or determination under the bill must be brought with 90 days of the action, finding, or determination.


Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2024-03-14IntroReferralReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.Senate
2024-03-13FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2024-03-13VoteOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 352 - 65, 1 Present (Roll no. 86). (text: CR H1163-1164)House floor actions
2024-03-13FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7521.House floor actions
2024-03-13FloorConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1163-1171)House floor actions
2024-03-13FloorMrs. Rodgers (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
2024-03-11CalendarsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 344.House floor actions
2024-03-11CommitteeReported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-417.House floor actions
2024-03-07CommitteeOrdered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 0.House committee actions
2024-03-07CommitteeCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
2024-03-07CommitteeSubcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce DischargedHouse committee actions
2024-03-06CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce.House committee actions
2024-03-05IntroReferralReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.House floor actions
2024-03-05IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Sponsor :

Rep. Gallagher, Mike [R-WI-8]
See Cosponsors

Policy Area :

Science, Technology, Communications
See Subjects
  • Asia
  • China
  • Civil actions and liability
  • Computer security and identity theft
  • Computers and information technology
  • Consumer affairs
  • Corporate finance and management
  • Federal appellate courts
  • Foreign and international corporations
  • Judicial review and appeals
  • Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

Related Bills

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