H.R.4: Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019

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About This Bill

Introduced Feb. 26, 2019
Latest Major Action July 27, 2020
See the seven similar bills introduced in other congresses.

Bill Sponsor

Terri Sewell (D-Ala.)

Bill Cosponsors

229 (All Democrats)

Bill Versions

Referred in Senate - Dec. 9, 2019
Engrossed in House - Dec. 6, 2019
Reported in House - Nov. 29, 2019
Introduced in House - Feb. 26, 2019

When this bill was on the Most Viewed List on Congress.gov

Week Ending	Rank
Dec. 8, 2019	2nd

Bill Summary

Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices in these areas may take effect. (Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice 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...

(Source: Library of Congress)

Statement of Administration Policy

The administration opposes this legislation and has recommended the president veto it.

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What Lawmakers Are Saying About This Bill

There are 183 statements associated with H.R.4.

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Bill Actions

Date	Description
July 27, 2020	Pursuant to the provisions of H. Con. Res. 107, enrollment corrections on H.R. 4 have been made.
Dec. 9, 2019	Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Dec. 6, 2019	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec. 6, 2019	Vote in the House On passage Passed by recorded vote: 228 - 187 (Roll no. 654).
Dec. 6, 2019	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 200 - 215 (Roll no. 653).
Dec. 6, 2019	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Dec. 6, 2019	DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rodney Davis (IL) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment inserting a new section entitled rule of construction which states that nothing in this Act may be construed to allow fines or other amounts paid to the United States in connection with a violation of title I of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 including any amount paid pursuant to a settlement agreement, to be used to make a payment in support of a campaign for election for the office of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.
Dec. 6, 2019	Mr. Davis, Rodney moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Dec. 6, 2019	Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule XIX proceedings on H.R. 4 resumed.
Dec. 6, 2019	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair postponed further proceedings on H.R. 4.
Dec. 6, 2019	The previous question was ordered without objection.
Dec. 6, 2019	DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4.
Dec. 6, 2019	The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of H. Res. 326 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate. The rule provides that the amendments to H. Res. 326 and preamble, modified by the amendments in Part B of the report are considered as adopted.
Dec. 6, 2019	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 741.
Dec. 6, 2019	Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule XIX proceedings on H.R. 4 resumed. (consideration: CR H9331-9334)
Dec. 6, 2019	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 228 - 187 (Roll no. 654). (text: CR H9308-9312)
Dec. 6, 2019	Mr. Davis, Rodney moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H9331)
Dec. 6, 2019	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 741. (consideration: CR H9308-9330)
Dec. 4, 2019	Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 741 Reported to House. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of H.Res. 326 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate. The rule provided that the amendments to H.Res 326 and the preamble recommended by the Committee on Foreign Affairs modified by the amendments in Part B are considered adopted.
Dec. 4, 2019	Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 741 Reported to House. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of H. Res. 326 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate. The rule provides that the amendments to H. Res. 326 and preamble, modified by the amendments in Part B of the report are considered as adopted.
Nov. 29, 2019	Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 258.
Nov. 29, 2019	Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-317.
Oct. 23, 2019	Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 6.
Oct. 23, 2019	Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct. 22, 2019	Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Discharged.
March 25, 2019	Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
March 25, 2019	Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Justice.
Feb. 26, 2019	Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb. 26, 2019	Introduced in the House by Terri Sewell (D-Ala.)

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