Senators said after a confidential briefing on Wednesday that their most likely next step on TikTok would be to hold hearings. The hearing process would mean a slowdown in legislation and could stumble the bill. The House of Representatives voted swiftly on a bill that would force TikTok to be sold from its Chinese owner ByteDance or ban it from app stores. But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not committed to putting the bill to a vote anytime soon.
"I'm in discussions with members of my caucus to determine the best path forward," Schumer said.
Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell told reporters: "The next step may be to take a more public approach, such as a joint hearing by [the Intel Committee and the Commerce Committee]. I will have to talk to Senator Mark Warner and see if he wants to do that. I think it is important to get this right. We have a lot of people in this agency who are just publicity for the sake of publicity, but they don't have the cause and effect that we need. We need to be intentional."
"I would like to look for opportunities to present the same brief to the broader group of senators... [but] I think if we don't act, we're going to miss the opportunity," Warner said. "What are the chances that you can get 352 votes for anything in the House?"
Tech-related legislation often doesn't make it to the Senate Commerce Committee. Still, Cantwell added, safe bipartisan briefings usually always lead to action. "I think the committee process is always better because I think people get a better product... I don't want it to have unintended consequences, but I also don't want it to miss the mark," Senator Marco Rubio said.
"I do think it should be discussed through the appropriate committees so we know if the House bill is going to be final... but the sooner it's resolved, the better," Senator Mike Lowes said.
On the other hand, some lawmakers want action quickly.
Senator Richard Blumenthal said "Americans should be deeply afraid of the TikTok gun aimed at our heads" and said confidential information provided to lawmakers should be shared with the public.
Senator Tom Cotton "Chuck Schumer should introduce it now so we can pass a good bill that passes the House with overwhelming bipartisan support."
Behind the TikTok conversation is the fact that the U.S. Congress has largely avoided legislation on privacy, competition and data sharing on any technology platform.
Lawmakers who have been pushing non-TikTok technology bills have not forgotten this.
Senator Ed Markey "I don't think we should do anything that doesn't involve American companies. Talk is damaging the country and missing the forest for the trees."
Senator Amy Klobuchar "I'm concerned about China owning this major platform, but I think whatever we do, it's best to do it in a smart way and we should look at what's going on with other platforms."
Meanwhile, TikTok supporters are still calling congressmen’s offices. Senator Thom Tillis sent a voicemail to his office on Twitter, threatening violent action if TikTok was banned.
TikTok responded on