As noted earlier, a bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 16, to restore the federal Voting Rights Act with a new coverage formula to replace the one struck down last year by the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill, HR 3899, is sponsored by James Sensenbrenner (R-Wisconsin). The eight co-sponsors include three Republicans and six Democrats. The three Republicans are Spencer Bachus of Alabama, Steve Chabot of Ohio, and Sean Duffy of Wisconsin. The five Democrats are John Conyers of Michigan, John Lewis of Georgia, Bobby Scott of Virginia, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, and Steny Hoyer of Maryland.

The identical Senate bill is S.1945. It is sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), and co-sponsored by Senators Richard Durbin (D-Ilinois) and Christoper Coons (D-Delaware).