Key Votes

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Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.

For more information about the legislative process, see here.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 11, 2025 WV SB 154 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Instruction in Schools Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
April 11, 2025 WV HB 3412 Authorizes State Legislature to Set Their Own Rules About Public Access of Information Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
April 11, 2025 National PN 27 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be Major General in the Regular Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 25)
April 10, 2025 KS HB 2062 Require Child Support Payments to be Calculated from the Point of Conception Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
April 10, 2025 KS HB 2240 Requires Legislative Approval Prior to Any State Agency Seeking or Implementing a Public Assistance Program Waiver Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
April 10, 2025 KS HB 2240 Requires Legislative Approval Prior to Any State Agency Seeking or Implementing a Public Assistance Program Waiver Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 38)
April 10, 2025 KS HB 2062 Require Child Support Payments to be Calculated from the Point of Conception Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 38)
April 10, 2025 NH HB 511 Prohibits Sanctuary City Policies in the State "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (211 - 161)
April 10, 2025 WV HB 2009 Authorizes Certain Executive Branch Reorganization Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 25)
April 10, 2025 WV HB 2008 Amends and Reorganizes the Department of Economic Development into the Department of Commerce Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 34)
April 10, 2025 National PN 12-29 Nomination of Mark Meador to be a Federal Trade Commissioner Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 46)
April 10, 2025 ND HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 10, 2025 CO SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - House (44 - 21)
April 10, 2025 AZ SB 1543 Authorizes Axon to Build a Headquarters in Scottsdale Arizona Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
April 10, 2025 WV HB 2755 Authorizes West Virginia Board of Education to Submit Rules to the Legislature for Review Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
April 10, 2025 ND HB 1181 Defines Gender as Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
April 10, 2025 WA HB 1217 Limits Rent Increases to 7% Over the Next Year Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
April 10, 2025 WA HB 1321 Prohibits Any Federal Armed Forces from Entering the State Without Governor Authority Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
April 10, 2025 NH HB 71 Prohibits the Use of Public School Facilities to Provide Shelter to Undocumented Immigrants "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (209 - 162)
April 10, 2025 National PN 12-29 Nomination of Mark Meador to be a Federal Trade Commissioner Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
April 10, 2025 TN SB 836 Authorizes Schools to Charge Undocumented Students Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
April 10, 2025 ME LD 1101 Appropriates $3.5 Million to the State Public Defense System Bill Passed - House (113 - 32)
April 10, 2025 AR HB 1974 Prohibits State Entities from Employing Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (76 - 20)
April 10, 2025 TX SB 38 Authorizes Expedited Evictions by Removing Hearing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
April 10, 2025 OR SB 906 Requires Employers to Provide a Written Explanation of Earnings and Deductions to All New Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
April 10, 2025 IL SB 19 Amends and Reforms the State Prisoner Review Board Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
April 10, 2025 IL SB 2339 Prohibits Employers from Firing an Immigrant Worker if Their Records Don't Match the Federal E-Verify System Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 21)
April 9, 2025 National PN 12-18 Nomination of Paul Atkins to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
April 9, 2025 AZ HB 2099 Requires All Government Employees at Any Level in Arizona Enforce and Cooperate with All immigration Orders Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
April 9, 2025 AZ HB 2111 Authorizes for the Creation of License Plates for the 988 Suicide Awareness Lifeline, the America250 Celebration, the Hopi Tribe and Kidney Disease Awareness. Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
April 9, 2025 IN SB 475 Prohibits Noncompete Agreements for Physicians Bill Passed - House (71 - 23)
April 9, 2025 National PN 12-18 Nomination of Paul Atkins to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
April 9, 2025 IL SB 2164 Amends Penalties and Processes for Assessing Penalties Under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
April 9, 2025 PA HB 411 Requires School Employees that Retired Before July 2, 2001, Receive an Additional Monthly Supplemental Annuity Bill Passed - House (131 - 72)
April 9, 2025 National HR 1228 Prioritizing Veterans' Survivors Act Bill Passed - House (424 - 0)
April 9, 2025 National HR 1526 No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) Bill Passed - House (219 - 213)
April 9, 2025 SC H 3930 Prohibits Payment Card Networks From Identifying Firearm Retailers Via Merchant Category Code (MCC) Bill Passed - House (85 - 10)
April 9, 2025 IL HB 2772 Amends and Adds Women's Professional Sports to the Types of Sports Facilities the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority can Oversee Bill Passed - House (111 - 0)
April 9, 2025 IL HB 1226 Increases the Age Which Seniors Must Take a Driving Exam to Renew Their Licenses from 79 to 87 Bill Passed - House (114 - 0)
April 9, 2025 IL SB 212 Requires Employers To Compensate Mothers Who Take Breaks At Work To Pump Breast Milk For Up To A Year After Their Child Is Born Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 3)
April 9, 2025 IL SB 212 Requires Employers To Compensate Mothers Who Take Breaks At Work To Pump Breast Milk For Up To A Year After Their Child Is Born Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 3)
April 8, 2025 CO SB 25-129 Establishes Legal Protections for Abortion and Gender Transition Services Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
April 8, 2025 National PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 45)
April 8, 2025 AZ HB 2001 Authorizes a 90-day License Exemption for Individuals who have Graduated from an Accredited Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Addiction Counseling Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
April 8, 2025 CO HB 25-1240 Requires Landlords to Comply with Federal COVID-Era Eviction Requirements When Trying to Evict a Tenant Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
April 8, 2025 IN SB 2 Establishes State Medicaid Restrictions Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
April 8, 2025 AZ HB 2062 Defines Sex and Gender Terms for Any State Laws, Policies, or Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
April 8, 2025 IA HF 309 Authorizes Nursing Homes to Provide Additional Context and Evidence before the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
April 8, 2025 WA HB 1540 Expands Washington's Students Experiencing Homelessness Program Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
April 8, 2025 WA HB 1540 Expands Washington's Students Experiencing Homelessness Program Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-20 Nomination of Mike Huckabee to be Ambassador to the State of Israel Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-22 Nomination of Ronald Johnson to be Ambassador to the United Mexican States Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 44)
April 8, 2025 National PN 25-6 Nomination of Kevin Cabrera to be Ambassador to the Republic of Panama Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 42)
April 8, 2025 IL HB 1189 Requires State and Local Projects Funded by the Federal Government to Pay Illinois' Prevailing Wage when Federal Prevailing Wage is Equal to or Less than the State's Prevailing Wage Requirement Bill Passed - House (82 - 28)
April 8, 2025 CO HB 25-1011 Specifies Child Care Centers Owned by Private Equity or Institutional Investment Firms Would've Had to Post Their Prices Online and Notify Parents Before Laying off Staff Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
April 8, 2025 CO HB 25-1011 Specifies Child Care Centers Owned by Private Equity or Institutional Investment Firms Would've Had to Post Their Prices Online and Notify Parents Before Laying off Staff Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
April 8, 2025 MT HB 952 Authorizes Tribal Governments to Enter Into Cannabis Compacts with the State Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
April 8, 2025 AR SB 217 Requires the Department of Human Services to Request a Waiver to Exclude Candy and Soft Drinks from Eligible Foods Under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
April 7, 2025 MD HB 1222 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 38)
April 7, 2025 ND HB 1231 Authorizes Low-Risk Sex Offenders to Ask the Court to Remove Them from the State Registry Early Concurrence Vote Failed - House (36 - 54)
April 7, 2025 ND HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Concurrence Vote Failed - House (42 - 48)
April 7, 2025 MD HB 1222 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 7, 2025 National PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 39)
April 7, 2025 AR HB 1683 Prohibits the Procurement by a Governmental Entity of an Electric Vehicle or a Component that was Manufactured Using Forced Labor Bill Passed - House (74 - 14)
April 7, 2025 IL HB 3094 Amends the Transportation Benefits Program Act Bill Passed - House (69 - 37)
April 7, 2025 IL HB 2978 Establishes the Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act Bill Passed - House (91 - 7)
April 7, 2025 IL HB 1616 Authorizes Part-Time Employees to Use up to 10 Days of Leave in Any 12-Month Period to Serve as an Organ Donor Bill Passed - House (70 - 34)
April 7, 2025 National HR 1039 Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 0)
April 7, 2025 National HR 586 Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act Bill Passed - House (411 - 0)
April 6, 2025 CO SB 25-129 Establishes Legal Protections for Abortion and Gender Transition Services Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
April 6, 2025 CO HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
April 6, 2025 CO HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
April 6, 2025 CO HB 25-1309 Defines "Gender-Affirming Care" Into State Statute and Prohibits Health Insurance Providers from Denying or Limiting Such Care Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/11 SB 154 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Instruction in Schools Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
4/11 HB 3412 Authorizes State Legislature to Set Their Own Rules About Public Access of Information Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
4/11 PN 27 Nomination of Lt. Gen. John D. Caine to be Major General in the Regular Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 25)
4/10 HB 2062 Require Child Support Payments to be Calculated from the Point of Conception Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
4/10 HB 2240 Requires Legislative Approval Prior to Any State Agency Seeking or Implementing a Public Assistance Program Waiver Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
4/10 HB 2240 Requires Legislative Approval Prior to Any State Agency Seeking or Implementing a Public Assistance Program Waiver Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 38)
4/10 HB 2062 Require Child Support Payments to be Calculated from the Point of Conception Veto Override Passed - House (87 - 38)
4/10 HB 511 Prohibits Sanctuary City Policies in the State "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (211 - 161)
4/10 HB 2009 Authorizes Certain Executive Branch Reorganization Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 25)
4/10 HB 2008 Amends and Reorganizes the Department of Economic Development into the Department of Commerce Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 34)
4/10 PN 12-29 Nomination of Mark Meador to be a Federal Trade Commissioner Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 46)
4/10 HB 1600 Establishes an Immigration-Focused Law Clinic at the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/10 SB 25-206 Appropriates Funding for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Colorado State Budget Bill Passed - House (44 - 21)
4/10 SB 1543 Authorizes Axon to Build a Headquarters in Scottsdale Arizona Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
4/10 HB 2755 Authorizes West Virginia Board of Education to Submit Rules to the Legislature for Review Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
4/10 HB 1181 Defines Gender as Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
4/10 HB 1217 Limits Rent Increases to 7% Over the Next Year Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
4/10 HB 1321 Prohibits Any Federal Armed Forces from Entering the State Without Governor Authority Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
4/10 HB 71 Prohibits the Use of Public School Facilities to Provide Shelter to Undocumented Immigrants "Ought to Pass" Report Adopted - House (209 - 162)
4/10 PN 12-29 Nomination of Mark Meador to be a Federal Trade Commissioner Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
4/10 SB 836 Authorizes Schools to Charge Undocumented Students Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13)
4/10 LD 1101 Appropriates $3.5 Million to the State Public Defense System Bill Passed - House (113 - 32)
4/10 HB 1974 Prohibits State Entities from Employing Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (76 - 20)
4/10 SB 38 Authorizes Expedited Evictions by Removing Hearing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
4/10 SB 906 Requires Employers to Provide a Written Explanation of Earnings and Deductions to All New Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
4/10 SB 19 Amends and Reforms the State Prisoner Review Board Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
4/10 SB 2339 Prohibits Employers from Firing an Immigrant Worker if Their Records Don't Match the Federal E-Verify System Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 21)
4/09 PN 12-18 Nomination of Paul Atkins to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
4/09 HB 2099 Requires All Government Employees at Any Level in Arizona Enforce and Cooperate with All immigration Orders Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
4/09 HB 2111 Authorizes for the Creation of License Plates for the 988 Suicide Awareness Lifeline, the America250 Celebration, the Hopi Tribe and Kidney Disease Awareness. Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
4/09 SB 475 Prohibits Noncompete Agreements for Physicians Bill Passed - House (71 - 23)
4/09 PN 12-18 Nomination of Paul Atkins to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
4/09 SB 2164 Amends Penalties and Processes for Assessing Penalties Under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
4/09 HB 411 Requires School Employees that Retired Before July 2, 2001, Receive an Additional Monthly Supplemental Annuity Bill Passed - House (131 - 72)
4/09 HR 1228 Prioritizing Veterans' Survivors Act Bill Passed - House (424 - 0)
4/09 HR 1526 No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) Bill Passed - House (219 - 213)
4/09 H 3930 Prohibits Payment Card Networks From Identifying Firearm Retailers Via Merchant Category Code (MCC) Bill Passed - House (85 - 10)
4/09 HB 2772 Amends and Adds Women's Professional Sports to the Types of Sports Facilities the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority can Oversee Bill Passed - House (111 - 0)
4/09 HB 1226 Increases the Age Which Seniors Must Take a Driving Exam to Renew Their Licenses from 79 to 87 Bill Passed - House (114 - 0)
4/09 SB 212 Requires Employers To Compensate Mothers Who Take Breaks At Work To Pump Breast Milk For Up To A Year After Their Child Is Born Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 3)
4/09 SB 212 Requires Employers To Compensate Mothers Who Take Breaks At Work To Pump Breast Milk For Up To A Year After Their Child Is Born Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 3)
4/08 SB 25-129 Establishes Legal Protections for Abortion and Gender Transition Services Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
4/08 PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Nomination Confirmed - Senate (66 - 32)
4/08 PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 45)
4/08 HB 2001 Authorizes a 90-day License Exemption for Individuals who have Graduated from an Accredited Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Addiction Counseling Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
4/08 HB 25-1240 Requires Landlords to Comply with Federal COVID-Era Eviction Requirements When Trying to Evict a Tenant Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
4/08 SB 2 Establishes State Medicaid Restrictions Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
4/08 HB 2062 Defines Sex and Gender Terms for Any State Laws, Policies, or Institutions Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
4/08 HF 309 Authorizes Nursing Homes to Provide Additional Context and Evidence before the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
4/08 HB 1540 Expands Washington's Students Experiencing Homelessness Program Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
4/08 HB 1540 Expands Washington's Students Experiencing Homelessness Program Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 4)
4/08 PN 25-14 Nomination of George Glass to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan Cloture Invoked - Senate (67 - 32)
4/08 PN 25-20 Nomination of Mike Huckabee to be Ambassador to the State of Israel Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
4/08 PN 25-22 Nomination of Ronald Johnson to be Ambassador to the United Mexican States Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 44)
4/08 PN 25-6 Nomination of Kevin Cabrera to be Ambassador to the Republic of Panama Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 42)
4/08 HB 1189 Requires State and Local Projects Funded by the Federal Government to Pay Illinois' Prevailing Wage when Federal Prevailing Wage is Equal to or Less than the State's Prevailing Wage Requirement Bill Passed - House (82 - 28)
4/08 HB 25-1011 Specifies Child Care Centers Owned by Private Equity or Institutional Investment Firms Would've Had to Post Their Prices Online and Notify Parents Before Laying off Staff Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
4/08 HB 25-1011 Specifies Child Care Centers Owned by Private Equity or Institutional Investment Firms Would've Had to Post Their Prices Online and Notify Parents Before Laying off Staff Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
4/08 HB 952 Authorizes Tribal Governments to Enter Into Cannabis Compacts with the State Bill Passed - House (57 - 40)
4/08 SB 217 Requires the Department of Human Services to Request a Waiver to Exclude Candy and Soft Drinks from Eligible Foods Under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
4/07 HB 1222 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 38)
4/07 HB 1231 Authorizes Low-Risk Sex Offenders to Ask the Court to Remove Them from the State Registry Early Concurrence Vote Failed - House (36 - 54)
4/07 HB 1300 Specifies Timeline for When Term Limits Passed by Voters in 2022 Officially Take Effect Concurrence Vote Failed - House (42 - 48)
4/07 HB 1222 Prohibits Local Law Enforcement Agencies From Entering Agreements With Federal Immigration Officials Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/07 PN 12-9 Nomination of Elbridge Colby to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 39)
4/07 HB 1683 Prohibits the Procurement by a Governmental Entity of an Electric Vehicle or a Component that was Manufactured Using Forced Labor Bill Passed - House (74 - 14)
4/07 HB 3094 Amends the Transportation Benefits Program Act Bill Passed - House (69 - 37)
4/07 HB 2978 Establishes the Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act Bill Passed - House (91 - 7)
4/07 HB 1616 Authorizes Part-Time Employees to Use up to 10 Days of Leave in Any 12-Month Period to Serve as an Organ Donor Bill Passed - House (70 - 34)
4/07 HR 1039 Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act Bill Passed - House (412 - 0)
4/07 HR 586 Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act Bill Passed - House (411 - 0)
4/06 SB 25-129 Establishes Legal Protections for Abortion and Gender Transition Services Bill Passed - House (39 - 20)
4/06 HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
4/06 HB 25-1312 Establishes Penalties for "Dead-Naming" or "Misgendering" as Discriminatory Actions and Requires Courts to Include Such Claims in Custody Cases Bill Passed - House (36 - 20)
4/06 HB 25-1309 Defines "Gender-Affirming Care" Into State Statute and Prohibits Health Insurance Providers from Denying or Limiting Such Care Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)

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