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
July 31, 2025 National PN 141-30 Nomination of Cheryl Mason to be Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 41)
July 30, 2025 National PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
July 30, 2025 National PN 25-27 Nomination of Jospeh Kent to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
July 30, 2025 National PN 26-25 Nomination of Matthew Kozma to be Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
July 30, 2025 National PN 26-42 Nomination of Gadyaces Serralta to be Director of the United States Marshals Service Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 38)
July 30, 2025 National PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
July 30, 2025 National PN 25-27 Nomination of Jospeh Kent to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
July 30, 2025 National PN 25-8 Nomination of Tyler Clarkson to be General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
July 29, 2025 National PN 22-17 Nomination of Earl Matthews to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 47)
July 29, 2025 National PN 12-7 Nomination of Samuel Brown to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 44)
July 29, 2025 National PN 60-14 Nomination of Susan Monarez to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
July 29, 2025 National PN 60-14 Nomination of Susan Monarez to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
July 29, 2025 National PN 12-7 Nomination of Samuel Brown to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
July 28, 2025 National PN 345-20 Nomination of David Wright to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 39)
July 28, 2025 National PN 22-17 Nomination of Earl Matthews to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 45)
July 28, 2025 National PN 345-20 Nomination of David Wright to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
July 24, 2025 National PN 25-54 Nomination of Richard Topping to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
July 24, 2025 National PN 22-15 Nomination of Matthew Lohmmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
July 24, 2025 National PN 25-54 Nomination of Richard Topping to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
July 23, 2025 National PN 22-25 Nomination of Arielle Roth to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 41)
July 23, 2025 National PN 25-53 Nomination of Aaron Szabo to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 47)
July 23, 2025 National PN 24-3 Nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
July 23, 2025 National PN 22-15 Nomination of Matthew Lohmmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 47)
July 23, 2025 National PN 25-53 Nomination of Aaron Szabo to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (48 - 47)
July 22, 2025 National PN 26-27 Nomination of Aaron Lukas to be Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
July 22, 2025 National PN 26-11 Nomination of Terrance Cole to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 47)
July 21, 2025 National PN 26-11 Nomination of Terrance Cole to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement Cloture Invoked - Senate (44 - 43)
July 17, 2025 National PN 22-25 Nomination of Arielle Roth to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 34)
July 17, 2025 National PN 26-27 Nomination of Aaron Lukas to be Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 40)
July 17, 2025 National PN 24-3 Nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Cloture Invoked - Senate (46 - 36)
July 15, 2025 National PN 22-26 Nomination of Anthony Tata to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
July 15, 2025 National PN 25-39 Nomination of Luke Pettit to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (69 - 30)
July 15, 2025 National PN 26-15 Nomination of Joseph Edlow to be Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
July 15, 2025 National PN 22-26 Nomination of Anthony Tata to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
July 15, 2025 National PN 26-15 Nomination of Joseph Edlow to be Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 46)
July 14, 2025 National PN 25-39 Nomination of Luke Pettit to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 28)
July 10, 2025 National PN 25-15 Nomination of Jonathan Gould to be Comptroller of the Currency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 45)
July 10, 2025 National PN 25-15 Nomination of Jonathan Gould to be Comptroller of the Currency Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 45)
July 9, 2025 National PN 13-3 Nomination of William Briggs to be Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 45)
July 9, 2025 National PN 12-20 Nomination of Preston Griffith to be Under Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43)
July 9, 2025 National PN 55-6 Nomination of Bryan Bedford to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 43)
July 9, 2025 National PN 12-24 Nomination of Scott Kupor to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 46)
July 9, 2025 National PN 12-24 Nomination of Scott Kupor to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
July 9, 2025 National PN 13-3 Nomination of William Briggs to be Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
July 8, 2025 National PN 12-20 Nomination of Preston Griffith to be Under Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (47 - 41)
July 8, 2025 National PN 55-6 Nomination of Bryan Bedford to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (47 - 42)
June 26, 2025 National PN 13-7 Nomination of Kenneth Kies to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
June 26, 2025 OR SB 1051 Authorizes the Governor to Appoint a State Forester With Senate Confirmation Bill Passed - House (36 - 11)
June 25, 2025 National PN 13-7 Nomination of Kenneth Kies to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
June 24, 2025 National PN 26-50 Nomination of Daniel Zimmerman to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 35)
June 24, 2025 National H Res 537 Impeaching Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Tabled - House (344 - 79)
June 23, 2025 National PN 26-50 Nomination of Daniel Zimmerman to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (58 - 33)
June 18, 2025 National PN 24-7 Nomination of Olivia Trusty to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission (Reappointment) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
June 18, 2025 National PN 12-40 Nomination of Rodney Scott to be Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
June 18, 2025 National PN 12-40 Nomination of Rodney Scott to be Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 46)
June 18, 2025 OR SB 1051 Authorizes the Governor to Appoint a State Forester With Senate Confirmation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
June 17, 2025 National PN 25-1 Nomination of Gary Andres to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (57 - 40)
June 17, 2025 National PN 24-6 Nomination of Olivia Trusty to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
June 17, 2025 National PN 24-7 Nomination of Olivia Trusty to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission (Reappointment) Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
June 17, 2025 National PN 24-6 Nomination of Olivia Trusty to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (46 - 39)
June 16, 2025 National PN 25-1 Nomination of Gary Andres to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (44 - 33)
June 12, 2025 National PN 12-27 Nomination of William Long to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 44)
June 11, 2025 National PN 12-27 Nomination of William Long to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
June 10, 2025 National PN 12-43 Nomination of Stephen Vaden to be Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 44)
June 10, 2025 National PN 13-6 Nomination of David Fotouhi to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 41)
June 10, 2025 National PN 26-20 Nomination of Andrew Hughes to be Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 43)
June 10, 2025 National PN 12-43 Nomination of Stephen Vaden to be Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Cloture Invoked - Senate (48 - 45)
June 10, 2025 National PN 26-20 Nomination of Andrew Hughes to be Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
June 9, 2025 National PN 13-6 Nomination of David Fotouhi to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
June 5, 2025 National PN 26-16 Nomination of John Andrew Eisenberg to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 43)
June 5, 2025 National PN 12-33 Nomination of James O'Neill to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 43)
June 5, 2025 National PN 26-43 Nomination of Brett Shumate to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 41)
June 5, 2025 National PN 26-43 Nomination of Brett Shumate to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 40)
June 5, 2025 National PN 26-16 Nomination of John Andrew Eisenberg to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 43)
June 4, 2025 National PN 55-9 Nomination of Michelle Bowman to be Vice Chairman for Supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Nomination Confirmed - Senate (48 - 46)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/31 PN 141-30 Nomination of Cheryl Mason to be Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 41)
7/30 PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
7/30 PN 25-27 Nomination of Jospeh Kent to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 44)
7/30 PN 26-25 Nomination of Matthew Kozma to be Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
7/30 PN 26-42 Nomination of Gadyaces Serralta to be Director of the United States Marshals Service Cloture Invoked - Senate (59 - 38)
7/30 PN 129-4 Nomination of Thomas Gaiser to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 47)
7/30 PN 25-27 Nomination of Jospeh Kent to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
7/30 PN 25-8 Nomination of Tyler Clarkson to be General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
7/29 PN 22-17 Nomination of Earl Matthews to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 47)
7/29 PN 12-7 Nomination of Samuel Brown to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 44)
7/29 PN 60-14 Nomination of Susan Monarez to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
7/29 PN 60-14 Nomination of Susan Monarez to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
7/29 PN 12-7 Nomination of Samuel Brown to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
7/28 PN 345-20 Nomination of David Wright to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 39)
7/28 PN 22-17 Nomination of Earl Matthews to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 45)
7/28 PN 345-20 Nomination of David Wright to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 45)
7/24 PN 25-54 Nomination of Richard Topping to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
7/24 PN 22-15 Nomination of Matthew Lohmmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 46)
7/24 PN 25-54 Nomination of Richard Topping to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
7/23 PN 22-25 Nomination of Arielle Roth to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 41)
7/23 PN 25-53 Nomination of Aaron Szabo to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 47)
7/23 PN 24-3 Nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 47)
7/23 PN 22-15 Nomination of Matthew Lohmmeier to be Under Secretary of the Air Force Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 47)
7/23 PN 25-53 Nomination of Aaron Szabo to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (48 - 47)
7/22 PN 26-27 Nomination of Aaron Lukas to be Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
7/22 PN 26-11 Nomination of Terrance Cole to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 47)
7/21 PN 26-11 Nomination of Terrance Cole to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement Cloture Invoked - Senate (44 - 43)
7/17 PN 22-25 Nomination of Arielle Roth to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 34)
7/17 PN 26-27 Nomination of Aaron Lukas to be Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 40)
7/17 PN 24-3 Nomination of John Hurley to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Cloture Invoked - Senate (46 - 36)
7/15 PN 22-26 Nomination of Anthony Tata to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
7/15 PN 25-39 Nomination of Luke Pettit to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (69 - 30)
7/15 PN 26-15 Nomination of Joseph Edlow to be Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 47)
7/15 PN 22-26 Nomination of Anthony Tata to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
7/15 PN 26-15 Nomination of Joseph Edlow to be Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 46)
7/14 PN 25-39 Nomination of Luke Pettit to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 28)
7/10 PN 25-15 Nomination of Jonathan Gould to be Comptroller of the Currency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 45)
7/10 PN 25-15 Nomination of Jonathan Gould to be Comptroller of the Currency Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 45)
7/09 PN 13-3 Nomination of William Briggs to be Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 45)
7/09 PN 12-20 Nomination of Preston Griffith to be Under Secretary of Energy Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43)
7/09 PN 55-6 Nomination of Bryan Bedford to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 43)
7/09 PN 12-24 Nomination of Scott Kupor to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 46)
7/09 PN 12-24 Nomination of Scott Kupor to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 46)
7/09 PN 13-3 Nomination of William Briggs to be Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
7/08 PN 12-20 Nomination of Preston Griffith to be Under Secretary of Energy Cloture Invoked - Senate (47 - 41)
7/08 PN 55-6 Nomination of Bryan Bedford to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (47 - 42)
6/26 PN 13-7 Nomination of Kenneth Kies to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
6/26 SB 1051 Authorizes the Governor to Appoint a State Forester With Senate Confirmation Bill Passed - House (36 - 11)
6/25 PN 13-7 Nomination of Kenneth Kies to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
6/24 PN 26-50 Nomination of Daniel Zimmerman to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Nomination Confirmed - Senate (61 - 35)
6/24 H Res 537 Impeaching Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors Resolution Tabled - House (344 - 79)
6/23 PN 26-50 Nomination of Daniel Zimmerman to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense Cloture Invoked - Senate (58 - 33)
6/18 PN 24-7 Nomination of Olivia Trusty to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission (Reappointment) Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
6/18 PN 12-40 Nomination of Rodney Scott to be Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 46)
6/18 PN 12-40 Nomination of Rodney Scott to be Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 46)
6/18 SB 1051 Authorizes the Governor to Appoint a State Forester With Senate Confirmation Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
6/17 PN 25-1 Nomination of Gary Andres to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (57 - 40)
6/17 PN 24-6 Nomination of Olivia Trusty to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 45)
6/17 PN 24-7 Nomination of Olivia Trusty to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission (Reappointment) Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
6/17 PN 24-6 Nomination of Olivia Trusty to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission Cloture Invoked - Senate (46 - 39)
6/16 PN 25-1 Nomination of Gary Andres to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services Cloture Invoked - Senate (44 - 33)
6/12 PN 12-27 Nomination of William Long to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 44)
6/11 PN 12-27 Nomination of William Long to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 46)
6/10 PN 12-43 Nomination of Stephen Vaden to be Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 44)
6/10 PN 13-6 Nomination of David Fotouhi to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Nomination Confirmed - Senate (53 - 41)
6/10 PN 26-20 Nomination of Andrew Hughes to be Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 43)
6/10 PN 12-43 Nomination of Stephen Vaden to be Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Cloture Invoked - Senate (48 - 45)
6/10 PN 26-20 Nomination of Andrew Hughes to be Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Cloture Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
6/09 PN 13-6 Nomination of David Fotouhi to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Cloture Invoked - Senate (53 - 43)
6/05 PN 26-16 Nomination of John Andrew Eisenberg to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 43)
6/05 PN 12-33 Nomination of James O'Neill to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Nomination Confirmed - Senate (52 - 43)
6/05 PN 26-43 Nomination of Brett Shumate to be an Assistant Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (51 - 41)
6/05 PN 26-43 Nomination of Brett Shumate to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (49 - 40)
6/05 PN 26-16 Nomination of John Andrew Eisenberg to be an Assistant Attorney General Cloture Invoked - Senate (52 - 43)
6/04 PN 55-9 Nomination of Michelle Bowman to be Vice Chairman for Supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Nomination Confirmed - Senate (48 - 46)

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