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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Dec. 22, 2009 National S Amdt 3276 Senate Health Care Bill Amendments Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 22, 2009 National S Amdt 3276 Senate Health Care Bill Amendments Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 17, 2009 OH HB 318 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Dec. 17, 2009 OH HB 318 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Dec. 10, 2009 NJ A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Dec. 3, 2009 National S Amdt 2791 Preventive Services Coverage Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 39)
Dec. 3, 2009 National S Amdt 2791 Preventive Services Coverage Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 39)
Dec. 3, 2009 MI SB 638 "Consistent Ineffectiveness" as Grounds for Discharging or Demoting Tenured Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Dec. 2, 2009 NY A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 38)
Nov. 19, 2009 National PN 187 David F. Hamilton, Seventh Circuit Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 39)
Nov. 18, 2009 MA S 2210 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Nov. 3, 2009 CA SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Oct. 27, 2009 National HR 3548 Extending Federal Emergency Unemployment Benefits Cloture Invoked - Senate (87 - 13)
Oct. 22, 2009 National HR 2647 2009-2010 Defense Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (68 - 29)
Oct. 22, 2009 National HR 2647 2009-2010 Defense Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (68 - 29)
Oct. 21, 2009 National S 1776 Eliminating Adjustments to Medicare Rates of Payment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 53)
Oct. 15, 2009 IL HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
Oct. 9, 2009 PA HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Oct. 6, 2009 National S Amdt 2588 Prohibiting Federal Funding of Mandatory Arbitration Contracts Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 30)
Sept. 30, 2009 National HR 2918 Continuing Appropriations Resolution and 2009-2010 Legislative Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 38)
Sept. 23, 2009 OH SJR 5 Redistricting Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Sept. 22, 2009 MA H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Sept. 11, 2009 CA SBx3 18 Correctional Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Sept. 9, 2009 CA SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Sept. 9, 2009 CA SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Sept. 9, 2009 CA AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Sept. 8, 2009 CA SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Sept. 8, 2009 CA AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Sept. 4, 2009 CA AB 793 Clarifying Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Sept. 4, 2009 CA AB 793 Clarifying Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Sept. 2, 2009 CA AB 1422 Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Sept. 1, 2009 CA AB 119 Prohibiting Gender-Based Health Insurance Pricing Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Aug. 26, 2009 PA HB 1828 Municipal Pension System Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
Aug. 14, 2009 AL HB 13 Authorizes an Occupational Tax for Jefferson County Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
Aug. 12, 2009 AZ HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
Aug. 6, 2009 National PN 506 Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 31)
Aug. 6, 2009 National PN 506 Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 31)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
July 20, 2009 CT HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
July 8, 2009 National S Amdt 1399 Requiring Completion of Reinforced Border Fencing Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 44)
July 1, 2009 DE HB 290 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 3372 Wages in Board of Public Utilities Construction Projects Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 4111 State Employee Wage Increases Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 4111 State Employee Wage Increases Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
June 24, 2009 LA SB 278 Governor Records Disclosed Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
June 24, 2009 MI HB 4436 2009-2010 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
June 24, 2009 NC HB 442 Regulating the Use of Corporal Punishment in Schools Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
June 24, 2009 DE SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
June 23, 2009 MI HB 4441 2009-2010 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
June 23, 2009 OR HB 3300 Promoting Green Jobs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
June 22, 2009 AZ SB 1440 Smoking in Cars with Minors Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20)
June 22, 2009 AZ HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 11)
June 21, 2009 LA HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
June 18, 2009 MA S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
June 18, 2009 NJ A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
June 18, 2009 MI SB 248 2010 Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
June 16, 2009 SC S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
June 15, 2009 OR HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
June 9, 2009 WI SB 167 Decreasing the Minimum Hunting Age Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
June 8, 2009 OR SB 519 Mandatory Workplace Meetings Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
June 4, 2009 DE SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws
June 3, 2009 ME LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
June 3, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
June 3, 2009 ME LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
June 2, 2009 NC SB 703 Restrictions on the State Treasurer Regarding the State Pension Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
May 31, 2009 IL SB 1918 Low-Income Energy Assistance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (47 - 11)
May 31, 2009 NV AB 395 Allowing State Employee Collective Bargaining Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
May 30, 2009 CT HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 30, 2009 NV SB 283 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Veto Override Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
May 29, 2009 CT SB 913 Elections to Fill US Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 28, 2009 LA SB 296 Retirement Debt Payment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
May 27, 2009 RI S 659 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
May 27, 2009 CT HB 6385 Probate Court System Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
May 27, 2009 OR HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2)
May 26, 2009 OR SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
May 26, 2009 CA SB 219 Extending Whistle-Blower Protection to UC Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 20, 2009 NH HB 73 Religious Choice in Performing Marriage Ceremonies Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
May 18, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
May 14, 2009 CA SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
May 11, 2009 TX HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 6, 2009 ME LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 6, 2009 NC SB 526 Prevention of Bullying and Violence in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
May 6, 2009 NC SB 526 Prevention of Bullying and Violence in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Motion Agreed - Senate (22 - 16)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Motion Agreed - Senate (22 - 16)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 436 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 11)
April 28, 2009 WI SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 28, 2009 WI SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 28, 2009 CO HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 28, 2009 CO HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 27, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
April 23, 2009 CA SB 789 Amending Unionization Requirements for Agricultural Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
April 22, 2009 OK HB 1603 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
April 22, 2009 CT SB 899 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/22 S Amdt 3276 Senate Health Care Bill Amendments Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39)
12/22 S Amdt 3276 Senate Health Care Bill Amendments Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39)
12/17 HB 318 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
12/17 HB 318 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
12/10 A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
12/03 S Amdt 2791 Preventive Services Coverage Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 39)
12/03 S Amdt 2791 Preventive Services Coverage Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 39)
12/03 SB 638 "Consistent Ineffectiveness" as Grounds for Discharging or Demoting Tenured Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
12/02 A 40003 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 38)
11/19 PN 187 David F. Hamilton, Seventh Circuit Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (59 - 39)
11/18 S 2210 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
11/03 SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
10/27 HR 3548 Extending Federal Emergency Unemployment Benefits Cloture Invoked - Senate (87 - 13)
10/22 HR 2647 2009-2010 Defense Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (68 - 29)
10/22 HR 2647 2009-2010 Defense Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (68 - 29)
10/21 S 1776 Eliminating Adjustments to Medicare Rates of Payment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 53)
10/15 HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 1)
10/09 HB 1614 Fiscal Code Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
10/06 S Amdt 2588 Prohibiting Federal Funding of Mandatory Arbitration Contracts Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 30)
9/30 HR 2918 Continuing Appropriations Resolution and 2009-2010 Legislative Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 38)
9/23 SJR 5 Redistricting Commission Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
9/22 H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
9/11 SBx3 18 Correctional Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
9/09 SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
9/09 SB 54 Recognizing Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
9/09 AB 98 Required Maternity Services Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
9/08 SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
9/08 AB 2 Health Care Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
9/04 AB 793 Clarifying Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
9/04 AB 793 Clarifying Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
9/02 AB 1422 Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
9/01 AB 119 Prohibiting Gender-Based Health Insurance Pricing Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
8/26 HB 1828 Municipal Pension System Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
8/14 HB 13 Authorizes an Occupational Tax for Jefferson County Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
8/12 HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
8/06 PN 506 Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 31)
8/06 PN 506 Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (68 - 31)
7/24 ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
7/24 ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
7/20 HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
7/08 S Amdt 1399 Requiring Completion of Reinforced Border Fencing Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 44)
7/01 HB 290 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
6/25 A 3372 Wages in Board of Public Utilities Construction Projects Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
6/25 A 4111 State Employee Wage Increases Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
6/25 A 4111 State Employee Wage Increases Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
6/24 SB 278 Governor Records Disclosed Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
6/24 HB 4436 2009-2010 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
6/24 HB 442 Regulating the Use of Corporal Punishment in Schools Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
6/24 SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
6/23 HB 4441 2009-2010 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
6/23 HB 3300 Promoting Green Jobs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
6/22 SB 1440 Smoking in Cars with Minors Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20)
6/22 HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 11)
6/21 HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
6/18 S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
6/18 A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
6/18 SB 248 2010 Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
6/16 S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
6/15 HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
6/09 SB 167 Decreasing the Minimum Hunting Age Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
6/08 SB 519 Mandatory Workplace Meetings Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
6/04 SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws
6/03 LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
6/03 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
6/03 LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
6/02 SB 703 Restrictions on the State Treasurer Regarding the State Pension Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
5/31 SB 1918 Low-Income Energy Assistance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (47 - 11)
5/31 AB 395 Allowing State Employee Collective Bargaining Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
5/30 HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/30 SB 283 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Veto Override Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
5/29 SB 913 Elections to Fill US Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/28 SB 296 Retirement Debt Payment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
5/27 S 659 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
5/27 HB 6385 Probate Court System Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
5/27 HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2)
5/26 SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
5/26 SB 219 Extending Whistle-Blower Protection to UC Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/20 HB 73 Religious Choice in Performing Marriage Ceremonies Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
5/18 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
5/14 SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
5/11 HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/06 LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/06 SB 526 Prevention of Bullying and Violence in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
5/06 SB 526 Prevention of Bullying and Violence in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
5/04 SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
5/04 SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
5/01 HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Motion Agreed - Senate (22 - 16)
5/01 HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Motion Agreed - Senate (22 - 16)
5/01 HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
5/01 HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
4/29 HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 18)
4/29 HB 436 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 11)
4/28 SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/28 SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/28 HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/28 HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/27 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
4/23 SB 789 Amending Unionization Requirements for Agricultural Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
4/22 HB 1603 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
4/22 SB 899 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)

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