WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. House Republican leading a legislative push to force China's ByteDance to divest TikTok in the United States or face a U.S. ban says American investors should urge China to allow a sale.

Representative Mike Gallagher, who chairs a House panel on China, introduced legislation on Tuesday with Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, the panel's top Democrat, that would give ByteDance about six months to sell TikTok or face a ban citing national security concerns. "It is in there interest to allow a separation," Gallagher said. The House Energy and Commerce Committee is set to vote on the bill on Thursday.