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
June 8, 2010 PA HB 1502 Verification of Employee Eligibility Bill Passed - House (188 - 6)
June 7, 2010 LA SB 731 Authorizing Attorney General Contingency Fee Contracts. Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
June 7, 2010 LA SB 731 Authorizing Attorney General Contingency Fee Contracts. Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
June 4, 2010 TN HJR 1253 Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
June 3, 2010 OH Wachtmann Amdt Authorizes Funding for the Workers' Compensation Council Amendment Tabled - House (53 - 44)
June 3, 2010 LA SB 593 Governor's Office Records Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 24)
June 3, 2010 CA SB 1121 Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 2, 2010 OH SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
June 2, 2010 CA AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
June 1, 2010 NY S 2311D Labor Standards for Domestic Workers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 28)
May 28, 2010 National HR 5136 2010-2011 Defense Appropriation Authorizations Bill Passed - House (229 - 186)
May 28, 2010 National HR 5136 2010-2011 Defense Appropriation Authorizations Bill Passed - House (229 - 186)
May 28, 2010 National HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (215 - 204)
May 27, 2010 National S Amdt 4204 Requiring Afghanistan Troop Redeployment Plan and Timetable Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 80)
May 27, 2010 National H Amdt 672 Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" After Military Review and Certification Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 194)
May 27, 2010 National H Amdt 672 Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" After Military Review and Certification Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 194)
May 27, 2010 National S Amdt 4214 National Guard Deployment on Southern U.S. Land Border Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 46)
May 27, 2010 IL SB 3658 Temporary Sales Tax Holiday Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 8)
May 27, 2010 National HR 4899 Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 28)
May 27, 2010 LA HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 23)
May 27, 2010 IL SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
May 27, 2010 CA SB 1255 Restrictions on Beverages Sold In Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 27, 2010 OH HJR 15 Apportionment of State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - House (69 - 28)
May 26, 2010 LA HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
May 26, 2010 LA Amdt 4002 Requires Department of Education Employees Evaluation Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
May 26, 2010 LA Amdt 4002 Requires Department of Education Employees Evaluation Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
May 26, 2010 MA H 4703 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
May 26, 2010 OH HB 473 Prohibits Inappropriate Pictures of Minors Bill Passed - House (86 - 12)
May 25, 2010 OH Collins-Taylor Nomination of Cathy Collin-Taylor as Director of the Department of Public Safety Nomination Rejected - Senate (15 - 18)
May 25, 2010 IL SB 3514 Amending State Pension Laws and Limiting Pension Appropriations Bill Passed - House (71 - 44)
May 25, 2010 IL SB 3514 Amending State Pension Laws and Limiting Pension Appropriations Bill Passed - House (71 - 44)
May 25, 2010 IL SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
May 25, 2010 LA SB 293 Establishes and Implements an Agency Attrition Analysis Process Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
May 24, 2010 TN HJR 1253 Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy Joint Resolution Passed - House (67 - 27)
May 24, 2010 OK HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 2)
May 24, 2010 LA HB 1390 Limiting Legislative Per Diem Pay Bill Failed - House (51 - 31)
May 20, 2010 LA HB 1443 Establishing Requirements for Contracts entered into by the Department of Health and Hospitals Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
May 18, 2010 OK HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 10)
May 18, 2010 National S Amdt 4072 Inspector General Appointment Modification Amendment Adopted - Senate (75 - 21)
May 18, 2010 OH SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
May 17, 2010 NY S 7846 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - House (92 - 50)
May 17, 2010 LA HB 1478 Unpaid holidays for state employees Bill Failed - House (23 - 68)
May 17, 2010 NY S 7846 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
May 13, 2010 LA HB 554 Prohibiting Release on Own Recognizance for Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (63 - 20)
May 13, 2010 CA AB 1756 Food Stamps for Drug Felons Bill Passed - House (44 - 31)
May 12, 2010 CO HB 1409 State Employee Compensation Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 27)
May 12, 2010 CO HB 1360 Parole Violation Punishment Reduction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 18)
May 12, 2010 MN SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
May 12, 2010 MN SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
May 12, 2010 CO SB 191 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
May 12, 2010 CO SB 191 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
May 12, 2010 CO HB 1409 State Employee Compensation Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
May 12, 2010 CO HB 1360 Parole Violation Punishment Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 12, 2010 LA HB 1339 Increasing Driving Restrictions on Class E License Holders Bill Passed - House (59 - 34)
May 11, 2010 CO HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 11, 2010 CO SB 12 Increasing Penalties for Worker's Compensation Violations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
May 11, 2010 MN SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 55)
May 11, 2010 MN SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 55)
May 10, 2010 CO SB 12 Increasing Penalties for Worker's Compensation Violations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
May 10, 2010 NY S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - House (83 - 56)
May 10, 2010 NY S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - House (83 - 56)
May 10, 2010 TN HB 270 Citizenship Status for Voting and Registration Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
May 10, 2010 NY S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
May 10, 2010 NY S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
May 10, 2010 LA HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Bill Passed - House (68 - 26)
May 6, 2010 IL SB 3658 Temporary Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - House (65 - 51)
May 5, 2010 IL SB 3267 Elder Financial Exploitation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (47 - 9)
May 5, 2010 CT HJ 106 Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 9)
May 5, 2010 CT HJ 106 Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court Nomination Confirmed - House (110 - 40)
May 4, 2010 LA HCR 144 Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Motion Agreed - House (60 - 32)
May 4, 2010 CT HB 5423 Classroom Experiments and Dissections on Animals Bill Passed - House (81 - 67)
April 30, 2010 CO SB 191 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 30, 2010 CO HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
April 29, 2010 MO HB 2011 2010-2011 Department of Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 63)
April 29, 2010 HI HB 444 Legalizing Same-Sex Civil Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 20)
April 29, 2010 IL SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Bill Failed - House (69 - 47)
April 28, 2010 MO HB 2010 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 70)
April 28, 2010 HI HB 2377 Board of Education Selection Advisory Council Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 2)
April 28, 2010 HI HB 2377 Board of Education Selection Advisory Council Conference Report Adopted - House (40 - 11)
April 28, 2010 MO HB 2010 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10)
April 28, 2010 AZ SCR 1013 Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
April 28, 2010 MA Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
April 28, 2010 MA Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
April 28, 2010 LA HB 617 Expanding Drug Testing Requirements for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (61 - 27)
April 28, 2010 LA HB 1259 Prohibiting "Cyber-Bullying" Bill Passed - House (78 - 16)
April 27, 2010 National HR 5146 Prohibiting 2010- 2011 Congressional Cost-of-Living Pay Increase Bill Passed - House (402 - 15)
April 27, 2010 HI HB 2376 Requiring Board of Education Members be Appointed Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 7)
April 27, 2010 IL SB 615 Local Food, Farms and Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
April 27, 2010 CT HB 5246 Domestic Violence Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (125 - 19)
April 27, 2010 LA HB 251 Superintendent of Education Qualifications Bill Passed - House (75 - 16)
April 26, 2010 CA Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 7)
April 23, 2010 CO SB 190 Suspension of Tax Exemption for Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
April 22, 2010 CA Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor (53 - 21)
April 22, 2010 WI SB 437 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
April 21, 2010 AZ SCR 1013 Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor Bill Passed - House (51 - 9)
April 21, 2010 GA HB 1198 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
April 21, 2010 IL HB 5428 Limiting Adoption Records Disclosure Restrictions for Adoptees Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
April 21, 2010 VA Amdt 28 Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69)
April 21, 2010 VA Amdt 28 Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69)
April 20, 2010 WI SB 484 BadgerCare Plus Basic Health Plan Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/08 HB 1502 Verification of Employee Eligibility Bill Passed - House (188 - 6)
6/07 SB 731 Authorizing Attorney General Contingency Fee Contracts. Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
6/07 SB 731 Authorizing Attorney General Contingency Fee Contracts. Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
6/04 HJR 1253 Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
6/03 Wachtmann Amdt Authorizes Funding for the Workers' Compensation Council Amendment Tabled - House (53 - 44)
6/03 SB 593 Governor's Office Records Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 24)
6/03 SB 1121 Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/02 SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
6/02 AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
6/01 S 2311D Labor Standards for Domestic Workers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 28)
5/28 HR 5136 2010-2011 Defense Appropriation Authorizations Bill Passed - House (229 - 186)
5/28 HR 5136 2010-2011 Defense Appropriation Authorizations Bill Passed - House (229 - 186)
5/28 HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (215 - 204)
5/27 S Amdt 4204 Requiring Afghanistan Troop Redeployment Plan and Timetable Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 80)
5/27 H Amdt 672 Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" After Military Review and Certification Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 194)
5/27 H Amdt 672 Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" After Military Review and Certification Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 194)
5/27 S Amdt 4214 National Guard Deployment on Southern U.S. Land Border Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 46)
5/27 SB 3658 Temporary Sales Tax Holiday Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 8)
5/27 HR 4899 Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 28)
5/27 HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 23)
5/27 SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
5/27 SB 1255 Restrictions on Beverages Sold In Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/27 HJR 15 Apportionment of State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - House (69 - 28)
5/26 HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
5/26 Amdt 4002 Requires Department of Education Employees Evaluation Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
5/26 Amdt 4002 Requires Department of Education Employees Evaluation Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
5/26 H 4703 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
5/26 HB 473 Prohibits Inappropriate Pictures of Minors Bill Passed - House (86 - 12)
5/25 Collins-Taylor Nomination of Cathy Collin-Taylor as Director of the Department of Public Safety Nomination Rejected - Senate (15 - 18)
5/25 SB 3514 Amending State Pension Laws and Limiting Pension Appropriations Bill Passed - House (71 - 44)
5/25 SB 3514 Amending State Pension Laws and Limiting Pension Appropriations Bill Passed - House (71 - 44)
5/25 SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
5/25 SB 293 Establishes and Implements an Agency Attrition Analysis Process Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
5/24 HJR 1253 Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy Joint Resolution Passed - House (67 - 27)
5/24 HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 2)
5/24 HB 1390 Limiting Legislative Per Diem Pay Bill Failed - House (51 - 31)
5/20 HB 1443 Establishing Requirements for Contracts entered into by the Department of Health and Hospitals Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
5/18 HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 10)
5/18 S Amdt 4072 Inspector General Appointment Modification Amendment Adopted - Senate (75 - 21)
5/18 SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
5/17 S 7846 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - House (92 - 50)
5/17 HB 1478 Unpaid holidays for state employees Bill Failed - House (23 - 68)
5/17 S 7846 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
5/13 HB 554 Prohibiting Release on Own Recognizance for Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (63 - 20)
5/13 AB 1756 Food Stamps for Drug Felons Bill Passed - House (44 - 31)
5/12 HB 1409 State Employee Compensation Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 27)
5/12 HB 1360 Parole Violation Punishment Reduction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 18)
5/12 SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
5/12 SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
5/12 SB 191 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
5/12 SB 191 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
5/12 HB 1409 State Employee Compensation Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
5/12 HB 1360 Parole Violation Punishment Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/12 HB 1339 Increasing Driving Restrictions on Class E License Holders Bill Passed - House (59 - 34)
5/11 HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/11 SB 12 Increasing Penalties for Worker's Compensation Violations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
5/11 SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 55)
5/11 SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Bill Passed - House (78 - 55)
5/10 SB 12 Increasing Penalties for Worker's Compensation Violations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
5/10 S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - House (83 - 56)
5/10 S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - House (83 - 56)
5/10 HB 270 Citizenship Status for Voting and Registration Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
5/10 S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
5/10 S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
5/10 HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Bill Passed - House (68 - 26)
5/06 SB 3658 Temporary Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - House (65 - 51)
5/05 SB 3267 Elder Financial Exploitation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (47 - 9)
5/05 HJ 106 Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 9)
5/05 HJ 106 Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court Nomination Confirmed - House (110 - 40)
5/04 HCR 144 Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Motion Agreed - House (60 - 32)
5/04 HB 5423 Classroom Experiments and Dissections on Animals Bill Passed - House (81 - 67)
4/30 SB 191 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/30 HB 1408 Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts Bill Passed - House (35 - 28)
4/29 HB 2011 2010-2011 Department of Social Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 63)
4/29 HB 444 Legalizing Same-Sex Civil Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 20)
4/29 SJR 121 Redistricting Process Modifications Bill Failed - House (69 - 47)
4/28 HB 2010 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 70)
4/28 HB 2377 Board of Education Selection Advisory Council Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 2)
4/28 HB 2377 Board of Education Selection Advisory Council Conference Report Adopted - House (40 - 11)
4/28 HB 2010 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10)
4/28 SCR 1013 Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
4/28 Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
4/28 Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
4/28 HB 617 Expanding Drug Testing Requirements for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (61 - 27)
4/28 HB 1259 Prohibiting "Cyber-Bullying" Bill Passed - House (78 - 16)
4/27 HR 5146 Prohibiting 2010- 2011 Congressional Cost-of-Living Pay Increase Bill Passed - House (402 - 15)
4/27 HB 2376 Requiring Board of Education Members be Appointed Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 7)
4/27 SB 615 Local Food, Farms and Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
4/27 HB 5246 Domestic Violence Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (125 - 19)
4/27 HB 251 Superintendent of Education Qualifications Bill Passed - House (75 - 16)
4/26 Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 7)
4/23 SB 190 Suspension of Tax Exemption for Seniors Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
4/22 Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor (53 - 21)
4/22 SB 437 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
4/21 SCR 1013 Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor Bill Passed - House (51 - 9)
4/21 HB 1198 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
4/21 HB 5428 Limiting Adoption Records Disclosure Restrictions for Adoptees Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
4/21 Amdt 28 Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69)
4/21 Amdt 28 Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69)
4/20 SB 484 BadgerCare Plus Basic Health Plan Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)

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