United States · Bill · HR
H.R. 4 (117th)
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021
Introduced
17 August 2021
Last action
14 September 2021 · Introduced
Status
Received in the Senate.
Sponsors
Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-11], Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5], Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Butterfield, G. K. [D-NC-1], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-22], Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37], Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8], Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-15], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Demings, Val Butler [D-FL-10], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Jones, Mondaire [D-NY-17], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Bush, Cori [D-MO-1], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-33], Colin Allred, Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4], Rep. Axne, Cynthia [D-IA-3], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Carolyn Bourdeaux, Rep. Bowman, Jamaal [D-NY-16], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Brown, Anthony G. [D-MD-4], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
Subjects
Discovery layer
Source updated
7 April 2025
Summary
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect. Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes that would affect voting rights. A state and all of its political subdivisions shall be subject to preclearance of voting practice changes for a 10-year period if 15 or more voting rights violations occurred in the state during the previous 25 years; 10 or more violations occurred during the previous 25 years, at least 1 of which was committed by the state itself; or 3 or more violations occurred during the previous 25 years and the state administers the elections. A political subdivision as a separate unit shall also be subject to preclearance for a 10-year period if three or more voting rights violations occurred there during the previous 25 years. States and political subdivisions that meet certain thresholds regarding minority groups must preclear covered practices before implementation, such as changes to methods of election and redistricting. Further, states and political subdivisions must notify the public of changes to voting practices. Next, the bill authorizes DOJ to require states or political subdivisions to provide certain documents or answers to questions for enforcing voting rights. The bill also outlines factors courts must consider when hearing challenges to voting practices, such as the history of official voting discrimination in the state or political subdivision.
This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.
Timeline
17 August 2021
Introduced
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Source: IntroReferral
17 August 2021
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
17 August 2021
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
24 August 2021
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: Floor
24 August 2021
Vote
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 212 (Roll no. 260). (text: CR H4384-4391)
Source: Floor
24 August 2021
Vote
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 212 (Roll no. 260).(text: CR H4384-4391)
Source: Floor
24 August 2021
Vote
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 212 - 218 (Roll no. 259).
Source: Floor
24 August 2021
Floor
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
Source: Floor
24 August 2021
Floor
Mr. Davis, Rodney moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H4413)
Source: Floor
24 August 2021
Floor
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Source: Floor
24 August 2021
Floor
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4.
Source: Floor
24 August 2021
Floor
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 601. (consideration: CR H4384-4415)
Source: Floor
24 August 2021
Introduced
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4369)
Source: IntroReferral
14 September 2021
Introduced
Received in the Senate.
Source: IntroReferral
Votes
24 August 2021 · passed · On Passage · Passed · Official source
Yes 219 · No 212 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 1
- Rep. Ferguson, A. Drew, IV [R-GA-3]Nay
- Rep. McEachin, A. Donald [D-VA-4]Yea
- Rep. Spanberger, Abigail Davis [D-VA-7]Yea
- Rep. Kinzinger, Adam [R-IL-16]Nay
Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.
24 August 2021 · failed · On Motion to Recommit · Failed · Official source
Yes 212 · No 218 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 1
- Rep. Ferguson, A. Drew, IV [R-GA-3]Yea
- Rep. McEachin, A. Donald [D-VA-4]Nay
- Rep. Spanberger, Abigail Davis [D-VA-7]Nay
- Rep. Kinzinger, Adam [R-IL-16]Yea
Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.
Versions
- Received in Senate · 14 September 2021 · Download file
- Engrossed in House · 24 August 2021 · Download file
- Introduced in House · 17 August 2021 · Download file
Documents
8 official files
Received in Senate (text)
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Leesvertaling
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Received in Senate (text)
Received in Senate · EN · 14 September 2021
Received in Senate (PDF)
Received in Senate · EN · 14 September 2021
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Engrossed in House (text)
Engrossed in House · EN · 24 August 2021
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Engrossed in House (PDF)
Engrossed in House · EN · 24 August 2021
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Passed House
summary · EN · 24 August 2021
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Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 17 August 2021
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Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 17 August 2021
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
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Introduced in House
summary · EN · 3 January 2021
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Sponsors
- Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-11] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Butterfield, G. K. [D-NC-1] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-22] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-15] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Demings, Val Butler [D-FL-10] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Jones, Mondaire [D-NY-17] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Bush, Cori [D-MO-1] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-33] · D · Sponsor
- Colin Allred · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Axne, Cynthia [D-IA-3] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] · D · Sponsor
- Carolyn Bourdeaux · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Bowman, Jamaal [D-NY-16] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Brown, Anthony G. [D-MD-4] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24] · D · Sponsor
Showing 48 of 225 sponsors and actors.
Related records
- related to ← Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4) to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise the criteria for determining which States and political subdivisions are subject to section 4 of the Act, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3684) to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other purposes; and providing for the adoption of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 14) setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031; and for other purposes.
- related to ← Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4) to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise the criteria for determining which States and political subdivisions are subject to section 4 of the Act, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3684) to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other purposes; and providing for the adoption of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 14) setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031; and for other purposes.
- related to ← Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4) to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise the criteria for determining which States and political subdivisions are subject to section 4 of the Act, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3684) to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other purposes; and providing for the adoption of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 14) setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031; and for other purposes.
- related to ← John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021
- related to ← Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022
- amends ← Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 601, the amendment printed in House Report 117-117 is adopted.
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/117/hr/4
- us · 117-hr-4 · source updated 7 April 2025