The House of Representatives passed the bill in a 220-203 vote.
“Today is a big day for our democracy and a big day in the House of Representatives. Today, the House will make a major step towards defending our democracy as we vote to send the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act to the Senate for urgent consideration”, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said during a press conference on Thursday.
The voting rights legislation was designed by Democrats to counter some state bills passed last year in Republican-run states that restrict mail-in voting and give more power to elected officials over counting ballots.
The bill will face a harder road to passage in the Senate, where a debate has been sparked about changing the chamber’s filibuster rules to allow for easier passage by Democrats - a move backed by President and former Senator Joe Biden.
Republicans have said the Democrats' bill seeks to federalize elections in the United States and give the Democratic party a significant edge in future elections.