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
March 30, 2006 KS Sub HB 2986 School Finance Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 25)
March 29, 2006 OH Am Sub SB 17 Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
March 29, 2006 AL SB 446 Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 28, 2006 OH HB 530 Budget Correction Bill Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
March 28, 2006 NE LB 1060 2005-2007 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
March 24, 2006 MD SB 1075 Governor Cabinet Appointments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
March 23, 2006 ID H 421 Property Tax-Homestead Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
March 23, 2006 MN SF 3475 Omnibus Buildings Bonding Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 9)
March 23, 2006 ID H 743 School Facilities Improvement Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 22, 2006 MS SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 22)
March 22, 2006 MI HB 5743 Repeal the Single Business Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
March 21, 2006 SD SB 210 2006-2007 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
March 20, 2006 NJ A 2813 New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
March 20, 2006 ID S 1393 Biodegradable Fuel Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23)
March 20, 2006 PA HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
March 16, 2006 ID H 609 Motor Vehicle Special License Plate Program Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
March 16, 2006 AZ SB 1430 Children, Child Protective Services Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 16, 2006 KS SB 587 Gambling Expansion Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 20)
March 15, 2006 MD Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16)
March 14, 2006 OK SB 2022 Income Tax Rate Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
March 11, 2006 CA AB 134 Public Infrastructure Bond Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 12)
March 9, 2006 KS SCR 1606 Supreme Court Justice Selection Procedure Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 17)
March 9, 2006 OK SCS SB 1698 Inmate State ID Cards and Faith-Based Programs in Prisons Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 23)
March 8, 2006 WA SB 6386 2005-2007 Supplemental Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
March 7, 2006 AZ HB 2701 National Guard Mobilization; Border; Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 7, 2006 WI AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 7, 2006 HI SB 3102 Student to Teacher Ratio Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
March 7, 2006 HI SB 3195 Education Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
March 6, 2006 AZ SB 1465 Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
March 6, 2006 OK SCS SB 1874 Senate Committee Substitute for the "Lawsuit Responsibility Act of 2006" Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
March 3, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
March 3, 2006 AK CSSB 112 Rural Education Tax Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
March 2, 2006 AZ HB 2064 English Language Learners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13)
March 2, 2006 AZ SB 1325 Public Funds; Abortion; Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 2, 2006 IN HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
March 1, 2006 VA HB 568 Flat Tax on Communication Services Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
March 1, 2006 OK SB 1471 Establishing the Oklahoma Innocence Commission Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
March 1, 2006 UT 3SHB 109 Food Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
Feb. 28, 2006 OK SCS SB 1993 Financial Aid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
Feb. 28, 2006 IN HB 1011 Miscellaneous Election Law Matters Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Feb. 23, 2006 AL SB 31 Alcohol Tax Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 14)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD S Amdt 1215re Abortion Ban on Ballot Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 20)
Feb. 21, 2006 MS SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Feb. 15, 2006 PA HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 20)
Feb. 15, 2006 MI SB 839 Reduce Amount of Auto Sales Tax Going to Comprehensive Transportation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Feb. 15, 2006 MI Sub for HB 5498 Horse Racing Industry Development Funds Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Feb. 14, 2006 MI Sub for SB 1028 Changes to the Family Independent Agency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2006 LA HB 12 Elections; Voting; State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Feb. 10, 2006 NM SB 294 Open Committee Meetings Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 22)
Feb. 9, 2006 NM SB 344 Campaign Contributions by Procurement Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 4)
Feb. 9, 2006 MS SB 2309 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Feb. 9, 2006 NM SB 344 Campaign Contributions by Procurement Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 4)
Feb. 6, 2006 MS SB 2119 School Board Elections, Superintendent Appointments, and Consolidation Issues Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
Feb. 6, 2006 VA Sub SB 313 DMV Reporting Requirements for Non-citizens Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 2, 2006 MS SB 2604 Mississippi Adequate Education Program Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
Feb. 1, 2006 MS SB 2602 Mississippi Education Reform Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Jan. 31, 2006 National PN 1059 Samuel Alito, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 42)
Jan. 31, 2006 OH HB 3 Election Law Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 12)
Jan. 30, 2006 IN SB 354 Forestry Classifications Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
Jan. 27, 2006 WA Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
Jan. 26, 2006 AZ HB 2661 State Employees; Pay Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
Jan. 25, 2006 MI SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Jan. 25, 2006 VA SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Jan. 24, 2006 GA SB 84 Voter Identification Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
Jan. 23, 2006 SD SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Jan. 19, 2006 MI SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Jan. 12, 2006 GA SB 386 State Senatorial District Composition Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
Jan. 12, 2006 GA SB 386 State Senatorial District Composition Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
Jan. 6, 2006 MS SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
Jan. 5, 2006 NJ S 2907 Reimbursement for Contaminated Sites Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Jan. 5, 2006 NJ S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Dec. 21, 2005 National S 1932 Budget Reconciliation Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
Nov. 17, 2005 National S Amdt 2602 Hurricane Victims Tax Benefit Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 55)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S Amdt 2351 Pay As You Go Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 49)
Oct. 20, 2005 National HR 3058 Transportation, Treasury, HUD and Judiciary Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (93 - 1)
Oct. 18, 2005 National S Amdt 2062 Congressional Pay Raise Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (92 - 6)
Sept. 29, 2005 National PN 801 Judge John G. Roberts, Jr., Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court (78 - 22)
Sept. 15, 2005 National S Amdt 1678 Hurricane Katrina Relief Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (43 - 52)
Sept. 14, 2005 National S Amdt 1670 Special Committee on Contracts in Afghanistan and Iraq Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 53)
July 29, 2005 National HR 3 Transportation Authorization Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4)
July 29, 2005 National HR 2985 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 4)
June 14, 2005 National PN 202 Thomas B. Griffith, Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Nomination Confirmed - Senate (73 - 24)
June 9, 2005 National PN 200 William H. Pryor, Jr., Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
June 8, 2005 National PN 201 Janice R Brown, Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
May 25, 2005 National PN 194 Priscilla R. Owen, Fifth Circuit Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (55 - 43)
May 24, 2005 National PN 194 Priscilla R. Owen, Fifth Circuit Judge Cloture Invoked - Senate (81 - 18)
May 17, 2005 National HR 3 Transportation Authorization Bill Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 11)
Feb. 10, 2005 National S 5 Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (72 - 26)
Feb. 3, 2005 National PN 12 Alberto R. Gonzales, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 36)
Jan. 26, 2005 National PN 8 Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (85 - 13)
Sept. 21, 2004 National HR 4755 Legislative Branch FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
July 14, 2004 National S J Res 40 Federal Marriage Amendment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
July 14, 2004 National S J Res 40 Federal Marriage Amendment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
Oct. 23, 2003 National S Amdt 1904 Congressional Pay Raise Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (60 - 34)
July 11, 2003 National HR 2657 Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7)
April 11, 2003 National H Con Res 95 Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 50)
March 26, 2003 National S Con Res 23 Budget Resolution FY2004 Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/30 Sub HB 2986 School Finance Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 25)
3/29 Am Sub SB 17 Child Abuse Reporting Requirements and Statute of Limitations Regarding Religious Figures Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
3/29 SB 446 Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/28 HB 530 Budget Correction Bill Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
3/28 LB 1060 2005-2007 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
3/24 SB 1075 Governor Cabinet Appointments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
3/23 H 421 Property Tax-Homestead Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
3/23 SF 3475 Omnibus Buildings Bonding Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 9)
3/23 H 743 School Facilities Improvement Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/22 SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 22)
3/22 HB 5743 Repeal the Single Business Tax Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
3/21 SB 210 2006-2007 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
3/20 A 2813 New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
3/20 S 1393 Biodegradable Fuel Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 23)
3/20 HB 213 Ecoterrorism Bill Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
3/16 H 609 Motor Vehicle Special License Plate Program Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
3/16 SB 1430 Children, Child Protective Services Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/16 SB 587 Gambling Expansion Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 20)
3/15 Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29)
3/14 HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
3/14 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16)
3/14 SB 2022 Income Tax Rate Adjustments Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
3/11 AB 134 Public Infrastructure Bond Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 12)
3/09 SCR 1606 Supreme Court Justice Selection Procedure Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 17)
3/09 SCS SB 1698 Inmate State ID Cards and Faith-Based Programs in Prisons Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 23)
3/08 SB 6386 2005-2007 Supplemental Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
3/07 HB 2701 National Guard Mobilization; Border; Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/07 AB 1073 Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Caps Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/07 SB 3102 Student to Teacher Ratio Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
3/07 SB 3195 Education Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
3/06 SB 1465 Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
3/06 SCS SB 1874 Senate Committee Substitute for the "Lawsuit Responsibility Act of 2006" Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
3/03 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19)
3/03 CSSB 112 Rural Education Tax Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
3/02 HB 2064 English Language Learners Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 13)
3/02 SB 1325 Public Funds; Abortion; Prohibition Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/02 HB 1099 Fireworks Sales, Regulations, Discharge, Public Safety Fees, and Injuries Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
3/01 HB 568 Flat Tax on Communication Services Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
3/01 SB 1471 Establishing the Oklahoma Innocence Commission Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
3/01 3SHB 109 Food Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
2/28 SCS SB 1993 Financial Aid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
2/28 HB 1011 Miscellaneous Election Law Matters Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
2/23 SB 31 Alcohol Tax Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 14)
2/22 S Amdt 1215cb Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22)
2/22 S Amdt 1215re Abortion Ban on Ballot Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 20)
2/21 SB 3084 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
2/15 HB 1318 Voter Identification Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 20)
2/15 SB 839 Reduce Amount of Auto Sales Tax Going to Comprehensive Transportation Fund Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
2/15 Sub for HB 5498 Horse Racing Industry Development Funds Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
2/14 Sub for SB 1028 Changes to the Family Independent Agency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
2/14 HB 12 Elections; Voting; State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
2/10 SB 294 Open Committee Meetings Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 22)
2/09 SB 344 Campaign Contributions by Procurement Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 4)
2/09 SB 2309 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
2/09 SB 344 Campaign Contributions by Procurement Contractors Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 4)
2/06 SB 2119 School Board Elections, Superintendent Appointments, and Consolidation Issues Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
2/06 Sub SB 313 DMV Reporting Requirements for Non-citizens Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/02 SB 2604 Mississippi Adequate Education Program Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
2/01 SB 2602 Mississippi Education Reform Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
1/31 PN 1059 Samuel Alito, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 42)
1/31 HB 3 Election Law Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 12)
1/30 SB 354 Forestry Classifications Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
1/27 Sub HB 2661 Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 23)
1/26 HB 2661 State Employees; Pay Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 2)
1/25 SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
1/25 SB 526 Defining Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
1/24 SB 84 Voter Identification Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
1/23 SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
1/19 SB 957 Single Tax Credit: Alternative Tax Rate and Percentage Reduction in Liability Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
1/12 SB 386 State Senatorial District Composition Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
1/12 SB 386 State Senatorial District Composition Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
1/06 SB 2310 Food and Tobacco Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 15)
1/05 S 2907 Reimbursement for Contaminated Sites Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
1/05 S 1412 Development Subsidies Application and Reporting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
12/21 S 1932 Budget Reconciliation Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (51 - 50)
11/17 S Amdt 2602 Hurricane Victims Tax Benefit Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 55)
11/03 S Amdt 2351 Pay As You Go Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 49)
10/20 HR 3058 Transportation, Treasury, HUD and Judiciary Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (93 - 1)
10/18 S Amdt 2062 Congressional Pay Raise Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (92 - 6)
9/29 PN 801 Judge John G. Roberts, Jr., Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court (78 - 22)
9/15 S Amdt 1678 Hurricane Katrina Relief Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (43 - 52)
9/14 S Amdt 1670 Special Committee on Contracts in Afghanistan and Iraq Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 53)
7/29 HR 3 Transportation Authorization Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4)
7/29 HR 2985 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 4)
6/14 PN 202 Thomas B. Griffith, Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Nomination Confirmed - Senate (73 - 24)
6/09 PN 200 William H. Pryor, Jr., Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
6/08 PN 201 Janice R Brown, Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Nomination Confirmed - Senate (56 - 43)
5/25 PN 194 Priscilla R. Owen, Fifth Circuit Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (55 - 43)
5/24 PN 194 Priscilla R. Owen, Fifth Circuit Judge Cloture Invoked - Senate (81 - 18)
5/17 HR 3 Transportation Authorization Bill Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 11)
2/10 S 5 Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (72 - 26)
2/03 PN 12 Alberto R. Gonzales, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 36)
1/26 PN 8 Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (85 - 13)
9/21 HR 4755 Legislative Branch FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
7/14 S J Res 40 Federal Marriage Amendment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
7/14 S J Res 40 Federal Marriage Amendment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
10/23 S Amdt 1904 Congressional Pay Raise Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (60 - 34)
7/11 HR 2657 Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7)
4/11 H Con Res 95 Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 50)
3/26 S Con Res 23 Budget Resolution FY2004 Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44)

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