Terri A. Sewell
U.S. House · AL-7 · Democrats · since 2025
alsoCandidate for U.S. House · AL-7
Biography
Overview
Terri Sewell is a Democrat representing Alabama's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2011. She is the first African-American woman elected to Congress from Alabama. Born in Huntsville in 1965, Sewell is a lawyer who previously worked as a securities lawyer and public finance lawyer, and was the first Black woman to make partner at her firm. She is known for her focus on voting rights, healthcare, and social justice issues.
Career
Sewell has achieved notable legislative victories including sponsoring the Voting Rights Advancement Act (which became the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act), securing $70 million in funding for historically black colleges, and working with Ivanka Trump on paid parental leave policies. She voted for the Affordable Care Act, supports Medicaid expansion, and was the only Alabama representative to vote to impeach Donald Trump in both impeachment trials. She has established herself as a strong advocate for voting rights protections and healthcare access in her district.
Prior political experience
Sewell was first elected in 2010, winning the Democratic primary with 36.8% of the vote and defeating Republican Don Chamberlain with 72.4% in the general election. She has consistently won re-election, running unopposed by major party challengers in 2014-2020. In 2012 and 2014, she won against only write-in opponents. In 2022, she defeated Republican Beatrice Nichols and Libertarian Gavin Goodman to clinch her seventh term. She has never faced a close race since 2010.
Biographical material adapted from the Wikipedia article (retrieved April 29, 2026), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Ideology
Liberal–Conservative (DW-NOMINATE dim 1)
Secondary axis (DW-NOMINATE dim 2)(?)
Campaigns targeting Terri A. Sewell
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Start a campaign targeting Terri A. SewellOfficeholding history
| Term | Seat | Term dates | Termination | Predecessor | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8th | U.S. House AL-7 | 2025–present | In progress | Terri A. Sewell | — |
| 7th | U.S. House AL-7 | 2023–2025 | Term ended | Terri A. Sewell | Terri A. Sewell |
| 6th | U.S. House AL-7 | 2021–2023 | Term ended | Terri A. Sewell | Terri A. Sewell |
| 5th | U.S. House AL-7 | 2019–2021 | Term ended | Terri A. Sewell | Terri A. Sewell |
| 4th | U.S. House AL-7 | 2017–2019 | Term ended | Terri A. Sewell | Terri A. Sewell |
| 3rd | U.S. House AL-7 | 2015–2017 | Term ended | Terri A. Sewell | Terri A. Sewell |
| 2nd | U.S. House AL-7 | 2013–2015 | Term ended | Terri A. Sewell | Terri A. Sewell |
| 1st | U.S. House AL-7 | 2011–2013 | Term ended | — | Terri A. Sewell |
Committee assignments
- OversightHouseRanking Member· 2025–present
- ElectionsHouseRanking Member· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
- Social SecurityHouse· 2025–present
- TradeHouse· 2025–present
- joint· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
Current term legislation
Bills sponsored this term10
- H.R. 8153
Maternal Vaccination Act
Mar 27, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8024
Maternal Vaccination Act
Mar 19, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7921
To amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to modify provisions relating to rural decentralized water systems grants.
Mar 12, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6894
Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2025
Dec 18, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 5377
Rural Health Training Opportunities Act
Sep 16, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 4731
Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025
Jul 23, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 4381
To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program regarding treating pregnancy as a qualifying event for enrollment in TRICARE Select.
Jul 14, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 3890
Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025
Jun 10, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 3257
Bridge to Medicaid Act of 2025
May 7, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 14
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025
Mar 5, 2025IN_COMMITTEE
Bills cosponsored this term10
- H.R. 8484
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for emergency grants to safeguard essential health care workers, and for other purposes.
Apr 23, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8397
To protect Moms and babies against climate change, and for other purposes.
Apr 21, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8402
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to increase civics education programs, and for other purposes.
Apr 21, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8342
Poll Worker Tax Cut Act
Apr 16, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8360
Commission on Advancing Restorative Justice in Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2026
Apr 16, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8317
Tech to Save Moms Act
Apr 15, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8228
To nullify the Presidential Proclamation relating to Imposing a Temporary Import Surcharge to Address Fundamental International Payments Problems, and for other purposes.
Apr 9, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8205
Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026
Apr 6, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8163
Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026
Mar 30, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8109
Save Struggling Hospitals Act
Mar 26, 2026IN_COMMITTEE
Elections
| Year | Seat | Result | Vote share | Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | U.S. House AL-7 | Pending | 63.68% |
|