WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers, meet your latest lobbyists: online influencers from TikTok. The platform is once again bringing influencers to Washington, this time to lobby members of Congress to reject a fast-moving bill that would force TikTok's Beijing-based parent company to sell or be banned in the United States. On Tuesday, some influencers began a two-day advocacy event in support of TikTok, which arranged their trip ahead of a House floor vote on the legislation on Wednesday. But unlike a similar lobbying event the company put together last March when talks of a TikTok ban reached a fever pitch, this year’s effort appeared more rushed as the company scrambles to counter the legislation, which advanced rapidly on Capitol Hill. Summer Lucille, a TikTok content creator with 1.4 million followers who is visiting Washington this week, said if TikTok is banned, she “don’t know what it will do” to her business, a plus-sized boutique in Charlotte, North Carolina. “It will be devastating,” Lucille said in an interview arranged by the platform. In an unusual showing of bipartisanship, a House panel unanimously approved the measure last week. President Joe Biden has said he will sign the legislation if lawmakers pass it. But it’s unclear what will happen in the Senate, where several bills aimed at banning TikTok have stalled. The legislation faces other roadblocks. Former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, who holds sway over both House and Senate Republicans, has voiced opposition to the bill, saying it would empower Meta-owned Facebook, which he continues to lambast over his 2020 election loss. The bill also faces pushback from some progressive lawmakers in the House as well as civil liberties groups who argue it infringes on the First Amendment. TikTok could be banned if ByteDance, the parent company, doesn’t sell its stakes in the platform and other applications it owns within six months of the bill’s enactment. The fight over the platform takes place as U.S.-China relations have shifted to that of strategic rivalry, especially in areas such as advanced technologies and data security, seen as essential to each country’s economic prowess and national security. The shift, which started during the Trump years and has continued under Biden, has placed restrictions on export of advanced technologies and outflow of U.S. monies to China, as well as access to the U.S. market by certain Chinese businesses. The Biden administration also has cited human rights concerns in blacklisting a number of Chinese companies accused of assisting the state surveillance campaign against ethnic minorities. TikTok isn’t short on lobbyists. Its Beijing-based parent company ByteDance has a strong lobbying apparatus in Washington that includes dozens of lobbyists from well-known consulting and legal firms as well as influential insiders, such as former members of Congress and ex-aides to powerful lawmakers, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will also be in Washington this week and plans to meet with lawmakers, according to a company spokesperson who said Chew’s visit was previously scheduled. But influencers, who have big followings on social media and can share personal stories of how the platform boosted their businesses — or simply gave them a voice — are still perhaps one of the most powerful tools the company has in its arsenal. A TikTok spokesperson said dozens of influencers will attend the two-day event, including some who came last year. The spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about how many new people would be attending this year’s lobbying blitz. The company is briefing them ahead of meetings with their representatives and media interviews. Lucille, who runs the boutique in North Carolina, says has seen a substantial surge in revenue because of her TikTok page. The 34-year-old began making TikTok content focusing on plus-sized fashion in March 2022, more than a decade after she started her business. She quickly amassed thousands of followers after posting a nine-second video about her boutique. Because of her popularity on the platform, her business has more online exposure and customers, some of whom have visited from as far as Europe. She says she also routinely hears from followers who are finding support through her content about fashion and confidence. JT Laybourne, an influencer who also came to Washington, said he joined TikTok in early 2019 after getting some negative comments on videos he posted on Instagram while singing in the car with his children. Laybourne, who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, said he was attracted to the short-form video platform because it was easy to create videos that contained music. Like Lucille, he quickly gained traction on the app. He says he also received more support from TikTok users, who reacted positively to content he produced on love and positivity. Laybourne says the community he built on the platform rallied around his family when he had to undergo heart surgery in 2020. Following the surgery, he said he used the platform to help raise $1 million for the American Heart Association in less than two years. His family now run an apparel company that gets most of its traffic from TikTok. “I will fight tooth-and-nail for this app,” he said. But whether the opposition the company is mounting through lobbyists or influencers will be enough to derail the bill is yet to be seen. On Tuesday, House lawmakers received a briefing on national security concerns regarding TikTok from the FBI, Justice Department and intelligence officials. AP Journalist Didi Tang contributed to this report. This story was originally published on March 12, 2024. It was updated on December 23, 2024 to clarify a quote by TikTok content creator Summer Lucille.Leicester’s Ruud van Nistelrooy ‘hurt’ by enforced exit from Manchester Unitedbet you wanna lyrics 。

Livestock Ministry To Turn Disaster Into Prosperity – TinubuReading room celebrates Bible Week with 20% off sale LANCASTER — In recognition of National Bible Week, which is Thanksgiving week, and through Christmas, the Christian Science Reading Room, 44802 Fern Ave., is having a 20% off sale of everything in stock through Dec. 21. A variety of gift ideas encouraging spiritual growth, including posters, puzzles, and books for all ages,is available. There are several Bible translations and other reference materials for Bible study, including the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. During this sale, free Bibles (King James version) in paperback will be available while supplies last. The reading room, at the east side of the church building, is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and after church services. For details, call 661-942-9926 or visit ChristianScienceAV.org . Christ Our Savior Church hosting adult Bible discussion QUARTZ HILL — Christ Our Savior Church, 5027 Columbia Way (Avenue M), is hosting an adult Bible discussion group from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. twice a month on Wednesday evenings. The suggested book of reference is “Knowing the Bible 101 — A Guide to God’s Word in Plain Language” by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz. This study group is for all curious about the Christian faith, motivated to read the Bible and searching for answers. It will continue through November. RSVP at 661-943-2774 or cosumc@gmail.com . For details, call Chris Ulvin at 661-816-0038, or visit the study blog link at cosumc.com . Volunteer chaplains wanted at Antelope Valley Medical Center LANCASTER — Antelope Valley Med­ical Center is looking for volunteer chaplains to address patients’ spiritual needs or to serve through intercessory prayer Monday through Friday. The center welcomes volunteers who dem­onstrate a genuine interest in pro­vi­ding spiritual support for their neigh­bors in an interfaith healthcare setting. Anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer chaplain can contact Dennis Mortimer, director of volunteer resources, at dennis.mortimer@avmc.org or 661-949-5102. Registration for upcoming year open at Saint Mary’s School PALMDALE — Saint Mary’s School, 1600 East Ave. R-4, is accepting applications for the upcoming school year for its transitional kindergarten through eighth grade. Call 661-273-5555 or visit www.stmaryspalmdale.org for applications or details. Cornerstone Church of Littlerock sets Bethlehem recreation LITTLEROCK — Cornerstone Church of Littlerock, 8533 East Ave. T, will present its sixth annual “Back to Bethlehem,” a live recreation of Bethlehem and the Nativity. The presentation will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 8. Registration for current year openat Grace Lutheran Christian School LANCASTER — Grace Lutheran School, 856 West Newgrove St., is accepting applications for the current school year for its pre-school program through grade 8. Call 661-948-1018, visit www.gracelancaster.org , or email school@gracelancaster.org for details. ——— The Antelope Valley Press welcomes contributions to its Religion Bulletin Board. Announcements are published as a public service; items are run as space allows and priority is given to entries that have not yet run in the newspaper. Entries are limited to special events, as opposed to routine services and meetings in the church. Written press releases are required, including the name of the church or organization; the time, date and place of the event; cost, if any; and a telephone number, email address and/or web address the public can contact for details. Send press releases to Religion Editor, Antelope Valley Press , P.O. Box 4050, Palmdale, CA 93590-4050; fax them to 661-947-4870; email them to editor@avpress.com ; or drop them by the Valley Press office, 37404 Sierra Highway in Palmdale. Releases need to be received no later than noon on the Wednesday a week prior to the event, since the bulletin board runs only in the Saturday Religion section. For answers to questions about submissions, call 661-441-6150.

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