Suffolk Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02) voted in favor of H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 352 – 65. This bipartisan legislation protects Americans and prevents foreign adversaries, such as China, from targeting, surveilling, and manipulating the American people through online applications like TikTok. Following the vote, Rep. Garbarino released a statement:

In his statement, Congressman Garbarino expressed concerns about the risks associated with foreign-controlled social media platforms, particularly highlighting the dangers posed by TikTok. He stated, "To have such a globally popular social media platform like TikTok controlled by foreign adversaries poses an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security and allows our adversaries to surveil and influence the American public, both through the data we produce and the information we share and consume."

Furthermore, Garbarino emphasized the importance of the bill in addressing immediate national security threats related to TikTok and establishing a framework for safeguarding Americans' national security and privacy from foreign adversary-controlled applications in the future. He remarked, "This bill addresses the immediate national security risks posed by TikTok and creates a process for the President to protect Americans’ national security and privacy from foreign adversary-controlled applications in the future."

The bipartisan nature of the legislation was evident as it garnered significant support in the House, passing with a vote of 352 - 65. The passage of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act reflects a concerted effort to shield American citizens from potential surveillance and manipulation by foreign entities through online platforms.