National Government Operations 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, 2012 National S 679 Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (261 - 116)
July 31, 2012 National S 679 Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (261 - 116)
July 31, 2012 National HR 828 Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (263 - 114)
July 31, 2012 National HR 828 Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (263 - 114)
July 26, 2012 National HR 4078 Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act Bill Passed - House (245 - 172)
June 19, 2012 National HR 2578 Conservation and Economic Growth Act Bill Passed - House (232 - 188)
May 10, 2012 National HR 5652 Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (218 - 199)
Feb. 9, 2012 National S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - House (417 - 2)
Feb. 9, 2012 National S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - House (417 - 2)
Feb. 9, 2012 National S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - House (417 - 2)
Feb. 8, 2012 National HR 3521 Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
Feb. 8, 2012 National HR 3521 Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
Feb. 1, 2012 National HR 3835 Extends Pay Freeze for Congress and Non-Military Federal Workers Bill Passed - House (309 - 117)
Feb. 1, 2012 National HR 3835 Extends Pay Freeze for Congress and Non-Military Federal Workers Bill Passed - House (309 - 117)
Jan. 18, 2012 National H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176)
Jan. 18, 2012 National H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176)
Dec. 2, 2011 National HR 3010 Establishes Additional Requirements for Regulatory Agencies Bill Passed - House (253 - 167)
Dec. 1, 2011 National HR 3463 Repeals Taxpayer Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (235 - 190)
Nov. 18, 2011 National H J Res 2 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Joint Resolution Failed - House (261 - 165)
Nov. 16, 2011 National HR 822 Requiring State Reciprocity for Carrying Concealed Firearms Bill Passed - House (272 - 154)
Nov. 1, 2011 National H Con Res 13 Encourages Display of "In God We Trust" in Public Buildings and Schools Joint Resolution Passed - House (396 - 9)
Oct. 26, 2011 National HR 1904 Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (235 - 186)
Oct. 14, 2011 National HR 2273 Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act Bill Passed - House (267 - 144)
Sept. 23, 2011 National H Amdt 799 Suspends Cross State Air Pollution Rule Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 188)
Sept. 14, 2011 National H J Res 77 Disapproval of the President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (232 - 186)
Aug. 1, 2011 National S 365 Budget Control Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (269 - 161)
July 29, 2011 National S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Boehner Bill) Bill Passed - House (218 - 210)
July 19, 2011 National HR 2560 Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (234 - 190)
July 13, 2011 National HR 2018 Amending Clean Water Laws Bill Passed - House (239 - 184)
June 3, 2011 National H Res 292 Ground Forces in Libya Resolution Passed - House (268 - 145)
June 3, 2011 National H Con Res 51 Removing Armed Forces from Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265)
May 3, 2011 National HR 1213 Repealing Funding for State Health Benefit Exchanges Bill Passed - House (238 - 183)
April 1, 2011 National HR 1255 Government Shutdown Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 202)
April 1, 2011 National HR 1255 Government Shutdown Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 202)
March 30, 2011 National HR 471 School Vouchers for Washington, D.C. Bill Passed - House (225 - 195)
Feb. 19, 2011 National H Amdt 155 Prohibits Use of Funds for Step Increase for General Schedule Employees Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 230)
Dec. 2, 2010 National H Res 1737 Censure for Representative Charles Rangel Resolution Passed - House (333 - 79)
Nov. 18, 2010 National HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (254 - 152)
Nov. 17, 2010 National HR 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 2 Veto Override Failed - House (185 - 235)
May 6, 2010 National HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Bill Failed - House (268 - 147)
April 27, 2010 National HR 5146 Prohibiting 2010- 2011 Congressional Cost-of-Living Pay Increase Bill Passed - House (402 - 15)
March 21, 2010 National HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 212)
Dec. 3, 2009 National HR 4154 Estate Tax Law Amendments and Reinstatement of PAYGO Bill Passed - House (225 - 200)
Nov. 7, 2009 National H Amdt 510 Substitute Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 258)
Oct. 7, 2009 National H Res 805 Removing Rep. Charles Rangel as Chairman of House Committee on Ways and Means Motion Agreed - House (246 - 153)
Sept. 25, 2009 National HR 2918 Continuing Appropriations Resolution and 2009-2010 Legislative Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (217 - 190)
Sept. 17, 2009 National HR 3221 Prohibiting Federal Assistance to ACORN Motion Agreed - House (345 - 75)
Sept. 17, 2009 National HR 3221 Prohibiting Federal Assistance to ACORN Bill Passed - House (253 - 171)
Sept. 15, 2009 National H Res 744 Resolution of Disapproval of Representative Joe Wilson's Conduct Resolution Passed - House (240 - 179)
Sept. 15, 2009 National H Res 744 Resolution of Disapproval of Representative Joe Wilson's Conduct Resolution Passed - House (240 - 179)
July 23, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (272 - 152)
July 16, 2008 National HR 415 Adding Parts of the Taunton River to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Bill Passed - House (242 - 175)
July 15, 2008 National HR 5803 Backup Paper Ballots Bill Failed - House (248 - 170)
July 9, 2008 National HR 5811 Electronic Communications Preservation Act Bill Passed - House (286 - 137)
May 8, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94)
April 15, 2008 National HR 5036 Federal Funding for Voting System Changes Bill Passed - House (239 - 178)
April 10, 2008 National H Res 1092 Postponing the Consideration of the Trade Agreement with Colombia Resolution Passed - House (224 - 195)
March 11, 2008 National H Res 1031 Establishment of the Office of Congressional Ethics Resolution Passed - House (229 - 182)
Feb. 14, 2008 National H Res 982 Contempt Charges Resolution Passed - House (223 - 32)
Oct. 24, 2007 National HR 505 Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (261 - 153)
Oct. 10, 2007 National HR 3056 Tax Collection Responsibility Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (232 - 173)
Aug. 4, 2007 National HR 3221 Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (241 - 172)
July 31, 2007 National S 1 Lobbying and Donation Regulations Bill Passed - House (411 - 8)
July 31, 2007 National S 1 Lobbying and Donation Regulations Bill Passed - House (411 - 8)
July 25, 2007 National H Amdt 674 State and Federal Medical Marijuana Law Enforcement and Implementation Amendment Rejected - House (165 - 262)
May 22, 2007 National S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (306 - 114)
April 19, 2007 National HR 1905 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (241 - 177)
April 19, 2007 National HR 1905 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (241 - 177)
April 19, 2007 National HR 1905 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (241 - 177)
March 14, 2007 National HR 985 Whistleblower Protection Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (331 - 94)
Sept. 26, 2006 National N/A Motion to Resolve Into Secret Session Motion Rejected - House (171 - 217)
Sept. 21, 2006 National HR 6095 Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (277 - 140)
Sept. 20, 2006 National HR 4844 Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (228 - 196)
July 19, 2006 National HR 2389 Pledge Protection Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
July 18, 2006 National H J Res 88 Same-Sex Marriage Resolution Joint Resolution Failed - House (236 - 187)
July 13, 2006 National HR 9 Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (390 - 33)
June 22, 2006 National HR 4890 Line Item Veto Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 172)
June 7, 2006 National HR 5521 Legislative Branch FY 2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (361 - 53)
May 3, 2006 National HR 4975 527 Reform Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (217 - 213)
May 3, 2006 National HR 4975 527 Reform Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (217 - 213)
March 30, 2006 National H Res 746 Jack Abramoff Investigation Resolution Resolution Tabled - House (216 - 193)
Nov. 2, 2005 National HR 1606 Online Freedom of Speech Act Bill Failed - House (225 - 182)
Sept. 15, 2005 National H Res 437 Bipartisan Committee to Investigate Hurricane Katrina Resolution Passed - House (224 - 188)
July 29, 2005 National HR 3 Transportation Authorization Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (412 - 8)
July 28, 2005 National HR 2985 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (305 - 122)
June 30, 2005 National HR 3058 Transportation, Treasury, HUD and Judiciary Appropriation Bill Passed - House (405 - 18)
June 22, 2005 National HR 2985 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2006 Bill Passed - House (330 - 82)
June 22, 2005 National H J Res 10 Flag Desecration Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (286 - 130)
June 15, 2005 National H Amdt 272 Medical Marijuana Use Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (161 - 264)
March 21, 2005 National S 686 Terri Schiavo Incapacitated Persons Protection Bill Bill Passed - House (203 - 58)
March 10, 2005 National HR 3 Transportation Authorization Bill Bill Passed - House (417 - 9)
Feb. 17, 2005 National S 5 Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (279 - 149)
Sept. 23, 2004 National HR 2028 Pledge of Allegiance Protection Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 173)
July 12, 2004 National HR 4755 Legislative Branch FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (327 - 43)
June 2, 2004 National H J Res 83 Special Elections/Appointments Provisions Bill Joint Resolution Failed - House (63 - 353)
June 2, 2004 National H J Res 83 Special Elections/Appointments Provisions Bill Joint Resolution Failed - House (63 - 353)
April 22, 2004 National HR 2844 Continuity in Representation Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (306 - 97)
April 22, 2004 National HR 2844 Continuity in Representation Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (306 - 97)
Feb. 25, 2004 National HR 2751 GAO Human Capital Reform Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (382 - 43)
Nov. 20, 2003 National HR 2417 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 Conference Report Adopted - House (264 - 163)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/31 S 679 Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (261 - 116)
7/31 S 679 Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (261 - 116)
7/31 HR 828 Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (263 - 114)
7/31 HR 828 Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (263 - 114)
7/26 HR 4078 Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act Bill Passed - House (245 - 172)
6/19 HR 2578 Conservation and Economic Growth Act Bill Passed - House (232 - 188)
5/10 HR 5652 Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (218 - 199)
2/09 S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - House (417 - 2)
2/09 S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - House (417 - 2)
2/09 S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - House (417 - 2)
2/08 HR 3521 Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
2/08 HR 3521 Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
2/01 HR 3835 Extends Pay Freeze for Congress and Non-Military Federal Workers Bill Passed - House (309 - 117)
2/01 HR 3835 Extends Pay Freeze for Congress and Non-Military Federal Workers Bill Passed - House (309 - 117)
1/18 H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176)
1/18 H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176)
12/02 HR 3010 Establishes Additional Requirements for Regulatory Agencies Bill Passed - House (253 - 167)
12/01 HR 3463 Repeals Taxpayer Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (235 - 190)
11/18 H J Res 2 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Joint Resolution Failed - House (261 - 165)
11/16 HR 822 Requiring State Reciprocity for Carrying Concealed Firearms Bill Passed - House (272 - 154)
11/01 H Con Res 13 Encourages Display of "In God We Trust" in Public Buildings and Schools Joint Resolution Passed - House (396 - 9)
10/26 HR 1904 Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (235 - 186)
10/14 HR 2273 Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act Bill Passed - House (267 - 144)
9/23 H Amdt 799 Suspends Cross State Air Pollution Rule Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 188)
9/14 H J Res 77 Disapproval of the President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (232 - 186)
8/01 S 365 Budget Control Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (269 - 161)
7/29 S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Boehner Bill) Bill Passed - House (218 - 210)
7/19 HR 2560 Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (234 - 190)
7/13 HR 2018 Amending Clean Water Laws Bill Passed - House (239 - 184)
6/03 H Res 292 Ground Forces in Libya Resolution Passed - House (268 - 145)
6/03 H Con Res 51 Removing Armed Forces from Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265)
5/03 HR 1213 Repealing Funding for State Health Benefit Exchanges Bill Passed - House (238 - 183)
4/01 HR 1255 Government Shutdown Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 202)
4/01 HR 1255 Government Shutdown Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 202)
3/30 HR 471 School Vouchers for Washington, D.C. Bill Passed - House (225 - 195)
2/19 H Amdt 155 Prohibits Use of Funds for Step Increase for General Schedule Employees Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 230)
12/02 H Res 1737 Censure for Representative Charles Rangel Resolution Passed - House (333 - 79)
11/18 HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (254 - 152)
11/17 HR 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 2 Veto Override Failed - House (185 - 235)
5/06 HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Bill Failed - House (268 - 147)
4/27 HR 5146 Prohibiting 2010- 2011 Congressional Cost-of-Living Pay Increase Bill Passed - House (402 - 15)
3/21 HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 212)
12/03 HR 4154 Estate Tax Law Amendments and Reinstatement of PAYGO Bill Passed - House (225 - 200)
11/07 H Amdt 510 Substitute Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 258)
10/07 H Res 805 Removing Rep. Charles Rangel as Chairman of House Committee on Ways and Means Motion Agreed - House (246 - 153)
9/25 HR 2918 Continuing Appropriations Resolution and 2009-2010 Legislative Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (217 - 190)
9/17 HR 3221 Prohibiting Federal Assistance to ACORN Motion Agreed - House (345 - 75)
9/17 HR 3221 Prohibiting Federal Assistance to ACORN Bill Passed - House (253 - 171)
9/15 H Res 744 Resolution of Disapproval of Representative Joe Wilson's Conduct Resolution Passed - House (240 - 179)
9/15 H Res 744 Resolution of Disapproval of Representative Joe Wilson's Conduct Resolution Passed - House (240 - 179)
7/23 HR 3221 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (272 - 152)
7/16 HR 415 Adding Parts of the Taunton River to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Bill Passed - House (242 - 175)
7/15 HR 5803 Backup Paper Ballots Bill Failed - House (248 - 170)
7/09 HR 5811 Electronic Communications Preservation Act Bill Passed - House (286 - 137)
5/08 HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94)
4/15 HR 5036 Federal Funding for Voting System Changes Bill Passed - House (239 - 178)
4/10 H Res 1092 Postponing the Consideration of the Trade Agreement with Colombia Resolution Passed - House (224 - 195)
3/11 H Res 1031 Establishment of the Office of Congressional Ethics Resolution Passed - House (229 - 182)
2/14 H Res 982 Contempt Charges Resolution Passed - House (223 - 32)
10/24 HR 505 Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (261 - 153)
10/10 HR 3056 Tax Collection Responsibility Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (232 - 173)
8/04 HR 3221 Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (241 - 172)
7/31 S 1 Lobbying and Donation Regulations Bill Passed - House (411 - 8)
7/31 S 1 Lobbying and Donation Regulations Bill Passed - House (411 - 8)
7/25 H Amdt 674 State and Federal Medical Marijuana Law Enforcement and Implementation Amendment Rejected - House (165 - 262)
5/22 S 214 United States Attorneys Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (306 - 114)
4/19 HR 1905 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (241 - 177)
4/19 HR 1905 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (241 - 177)
4/19 HR 1905 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (241 - 177)
3/14 HR 985 Whistleblower Protection Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (331 - 94)
9/26 N/A Motion to Resolve Into Secret Session Motion Rejected - House (171 - 217)
9/21 HR 6095 Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (277 - 140)
9/20 HR 4844 Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (228 - 196)
7/19 HR 2389 Pledge Protection Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
7/18 H J Res 88 Same-Sex Marriage Resolution Joint Resolution Failed - House (236 - 187)
7/13 HR 9 Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (390 - 33)
6/22 HR 4890 Line Item Veto Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 172)
6/07 HR 5521 Legislative Branch FY 2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (361 - 53)
5/03 HR 4975 527 Reform Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (217 - 213)
5/03 HR 4975 527 Reform Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (217 - 213)
3/30 H Res 746 Jack Abramoff Investigation Resolution Resolution Tabled - House (216 - 193)
11/02 HR 1606 Online Freedom of Speech Act Bill Failed - House (225 - 182)
9/15 H Res 437 Bipartisan Committee to Investigate Hurricane Katrina Resolution Passed - House (224 - 188)
7/29 HR 3 Transportation Authorization Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (412 - 8)
7/28 HR 2985 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (305 - 122)
6/30 HR 3058 Transportation, Treasury, HUD and Judiciary Appropriation Bill Passed - House (405 - 18)
6/22 HR 2985 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2006 Bill Passed - House (330 - 82)
6/22 H J Res 10 Flag Desecration Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (286 - 130)
6/15 H Amdt 272 Medical Marijuana Use Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (161 - 264)
3/21 S 686 Terri Schiavo Incapacitated Persons Protection Bill Bill Passed - House (203 - 58)
3/10 HR 3 Transportation Authorization Bill Bill Passed - House (417 - 9)
2/17 S 5 Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (279 - 149)
9/23 HR 2028 Pledge of Allegiance Protection Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 173)
7/12 HR 4755 Legislative Branch FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (327 - 43)
6/02 H J Res 83 Special Elections/Appointments Provisions Bill Joint Resolution Failed - House (63 - 353)
6/02 H J Res 83 Special Elections/Appointments Provisions Bill Joint Resolution Failed - House (63 - 353)
4/22 HR 2844 Continuity in Representation Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (306 - 97)
4/22 HR 2844 Continuity in Representation Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (306 - 97)
2/25 HR 2751 GAO Human Capital Reform Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (382 - 43)
11/20 HR 2417 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 Conference Report Adopted - House (264 - 163)

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