Representative Terri Sewell (D-AL) sponsored H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to strengthen the voting rights protections that the Supreme Court struck down in the 2013 case Shelby County v. Holder. Notably, H.R. 4 reestablishes “preclearance,” which requires states and jurisdictions with a history of voter discrimination to obtain federal approval before changing voting rules. Since the Supreme Court struck down the previous preclearance formula, 22 states have enacted restrictive voting rules, including many with a history of voter discrimination. H.R. 4 would also increase public notice for changes to voting rules and bolster voting protections for Indigenous people. On December 6, the House approved H.R. 4 by a vote of 228-187 (House roll call vote 654). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The Senate took no action on this legislation.