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. 24, 2009 National HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 23, 2009 National HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 23, 2009 National S Amdt 2786 Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 22, 2009 National S Amdt 2786 Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Cloture Invoked - 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. 15, 2009 National S Amdt 2793 Authorizing Importation of Prescription Drugs Amendment Rejected - Senate (51 - 48)
Dec. 10, 2009 NJ A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Dec. 10, 2009 NJ S 2905 Requiring Chain Restaurants to Post Nutrition Information Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Dec. 8, 2009 National S Amdt 2962 Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services Amendment Tabled - Senate (54 - 45)
Dec. 3, 2009 MI SB 638 "Consistent Ineffectiveness" as Grounds for Discharging or Demoting Tenured Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Nov. 18, 2009 MA S 2210 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Nov. 17, 2009 MA S 2205 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Nov. 5, 2009 WI SB 371 Higher Education Student Data System Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Nov. 5, 2009 WI SB 372 Teacher Evaluation Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Nov. 3, 2009 CA SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Oct. 29, 2009 RI HB 5044 Prostitution Ban Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Oct. 28, 2009 NH HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 10)
Oct. 8, 2009 MI HB 4447 2009-2010 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
Oct. 6, 2009 National S Amdt 2588 Prohibiting Federal Funding of Mandatory Arbitration Contracts Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 30)
Sept. 30, 2009 MI HB 4437 2009-2010 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 14)
Sept. 22, 2009 WI AB 119 Requiring Kindergarten for First Grade Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
Sept. 11, 2009 CA SBx3 18 Correctional Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Sept. 11, 2009 CA SB 19 Eliminating Prohibition on Utilizing CALTIDES Data to Evaluate Teachers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
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. 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. 20, 2009 CA ABx3 14 Correctional Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Aug. 12, 2009 AZ HB 2010 Budget Reconciliation (Criminal Justice) Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
Aug. 12, 2009 AZ HB 2010 Budget Reconciliation (Criminal Justice) Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
Aug. 12, 2009 AZ HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
Aug. 6, 2009 NY A 8903-A Extending City Board Jurisdiction Over New York City Schools Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 8)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 14 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
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 24, 2009 CA ABX4 15 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Implementing Prop 1A Suspension Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 2 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Education Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
July 20, 2009 CT HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
July 20, 2009 CT HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
July 13, 2009 OH HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 15)
July 8, 2009 National S Amdt 1399 Requiring Completion of Reinforced Border Fencing Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 44)
July 1, 2009 AZ SB 1175 Prohibiting Non-Physicians from Performing Abortions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
June 30, 2009 CA SB 74 Deferring Education Funding (2009-2010 Budget Financing) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14)
June 30, 2009 CA SB 64 Education Spending Reductions (2009-2010 Budget Financing) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14)
June 30, 2009 CA SB 80 Shifting Redevelopment Agency Funds (2009-2010 Budget Financing) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14)
June 29, 2009 DE SB 169 Health Clinic Access Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
June 27, 2009 OR SB 767 Virtual Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 14)
June 27, 2009 OR HB 3508 Implementing Measure 57 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
June 25, 2009 NJ A4141 Eliminating Non-Operating School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 4048 2009 Economic Package Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
June 25, 2009 NJ S 702 Promoting Purchase of Energy-Efficient Homes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 4048 2009 Economic Package Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
June 25, 2009 OR SB 528 Prohibition on Field Burning in Certain Areas Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
June 24, 2009 NC HB 442 Regulating the Use of Corporal Punishment in Schools Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
June 24, 2009 MI HB 4436 2009-2010 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
June 24, 2009 MI HB 4447 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
June 23, 2009 MI HB 4441 2009-2010 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
June 22, 2009 AZ HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 11)
June 22, 2009 LA HB 877 Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 17)
June 22, 2009 AZ SB 1440 Smoking in Cars with Minors Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20)
June 19, 2009 OR SB 5520 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
June 18, 2009 NJ S 1880 Establishing Criminal Sentencing Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
June 18, 2009 LA HB 531 Allowing Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
June 17, 2009 LA HB 689 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Fund Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
June 16, 2009 RI H 5359 Medical Marijuana Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
June 16, 2009 TN SB 162 Creation of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 15, 2009 LA HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
June 15, 2009 OR HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
June 11, 2009 OR HB 2009 Establishing the Oregon Health Authority Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
June 11, 2009 ME LD 1259 Menu Labeling Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
June 11, 2009 OR HB 2116 Changing Health Care Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
June 10, 2009 OR HB 2834 Funding School for Blind Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
June 8, 2009 ME LD 1438 Allowing Charter Schools "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
June 8, 2009 ME LD 1264 Expand and Fund DirigoChoice Health Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
June 5, 2009 ME LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
June 4, 2009 ME LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
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 OH HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
June 3, 2009 NY S 2020 SUNY Buffalo Education Bill Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 17)
June 3, 2009 ME LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
June 1, 2009 OR HB 2726 Nutrition Labeling on Menus Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
June 1, 2009 NV AB 458 Establishing the K-12 Public Education Stabilization Account Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9)
May 31, 2009 IL SB 612 Raising the Cap on Charter Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 10)
May 31, 2009 NV AB 543 Property Tax Reappropriation Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
May 30, 2009 CT HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 30, 2009 CT HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 28, 2009 LA SB 186 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
May 27, 2009 LA Amendment # 1874 Video Draw Poker Device Location Restriction Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
May 27, 2009 AZ HB 2001 Scholarships for Disabled or Displaced Students Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
May 27, 2009 OR HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2)
May 26, 2009 CA SB 219 Extending Whistle-Blower Protection to UC Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 22, 2009 NV SB 311 Washoe County Fluoridation Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
May 20, 2009 ME LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
May 18, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 28)
May 18, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
May 18, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
May 14, 2009 CA SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/24 HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39)
12/23 HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 39)
12/23 S Amdt 2786 Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 39)
12/22 S Amdt 2786 Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Cloture Invoked - 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)
12/15 S Amdt 2793 Authorizing Importation of Prescription Drugs Amendment Rejected - Senate (51 - 48)
12/10 A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
12/10 S 2905 Requiring Chain Restaurants to Post Nutrition Information Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
12/08 S Amdt 2962 Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services Amendment Tabled - Senate (54 - 45)
12/03 SB 638 "Consistent Ineffectiveness" as Grounds for Discharging or Demoting Tenured Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
11/18 S 2210 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
11/17 S 2205 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
11/05 SB 371 Higher Education Student Data System Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
11/05 SB 372 Teacher Evaluation Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
11/03 SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
10/29 HB 5044 Prostitution Ban Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
10/28 HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Veto Override Failed - Senate (14 - 10)
10/08 HB 4447 2009-2010 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 13)
10/06 S Amdt 2588 Prohibiting Federal Funding of Mandatory Arbitration Contracts Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 30)
9/30 HB 4437 2009-2010 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 14)
9/22 AB 119 Requiring Kindergarten for First Grade Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15)
9/11 SBx3 18 Correctional Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
9/11 SB 19 Eliminating Prohibition on Utilizing CALTIDES Data to Evaluate Teachers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
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)
9/02 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)
8/20 ABx3 14 Correctional Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
8/12 HB 2010 Budget Reconciliation (Criminal Justice) Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
8/12 HB 2010 Budget Reconciliation (Criminal Justice) Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
8/12 HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
8/06 A 8903-A Extending City Board Jurisdiction Over New York City Schools Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 8)
7/24 ABX4 14 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
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)
7/24 ABX4 15 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Implementing Prop 1A Suspension Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
7/24 ABX4 2 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Education Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
7/20 HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
7/20 HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12)
7/13 HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 15)
7/08 S Amdt 1399 Requiring Completion of Reinforced Border Fencing Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 44)
7/01 SB 1175 Prohibiting Non-Physicians from Performing Abortions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 11)
6/30 SB 74 Deferring Education Funding (2009-2010 Budget Financing) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14)
6/30 SB 64 Education Spending Reductions (2009-2010 Budget Financing) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14)
6/30 SB 80 Shifting Redevelopment Agency Funds (2009-2010 Budget Financing) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14)
6/29 SB 169 Health Clinic Access Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
6/27 SB 767 Virtual Charter Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 14)
6/27 HB 3508 Implementing Measure 57 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
6/25 A4141 Eliminating Non-Operating School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
6/25 A 4048 2009 Economic Package Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
6/25 S 702 Promoting Purchase of Energy-Efficient Homes Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/25 A 4048 2009 Economic Package Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
6/25 SB 528 Prohibition on Field Burning in Certain Areas Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
6/24 HB 442 Regulating the Use of Corporal Punishment in Schools Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
6/24 HB 4436 2009-2010 Department of Community Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
6/24 HB 4447 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
6/23 HB 4441 2009-2010 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
6/22 HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 11)
6/22 HB 877 Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 17)
6/22 SB 1440 Smoking in Cars with Minors Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20)
6/19 SB 5520 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
6/18 S 1880 Establishing Criminal Sentencing Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
6/18 HB 531 Allowing Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
6/17 HB 689 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Fund Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
6/16 H 5359 Medical Marijuana Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 3)
6/16 SB 162 Creation of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/15 HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
6/15 HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
6/11 HB 2009 Establishing the Oregon Health Authority Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
6/11 LD 1259 Menu Labeling Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
6/11 HB 2116 Changing Health Care Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
6/10 HB 2834 Funding School for Blind Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
6/08 LD 1438 Allowing Charter Schools "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 14)
6/08 LD 1264 Expand and Fund DirigoChoice Health Insurance Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
6/05 LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
6/04 LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
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 HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
6/03 S 2020 SUNY Buffalo Education Bill Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 17)
6/03 LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
6/01 HB 2726 Nutrition Labeling on Menus Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
6/01 AB 458 Establishing the K-12 Public Education Stabilization Account Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9)
5/31 SB 612 Raising the Cap on Charter Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 10)
5/31 AB 543 Property Tax Reappropriation Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
5/30 HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/30 HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/28 SB 186 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
5/27 Amendment # 1874 Video Draw Poker Device Location Restriction Amendment Adopted - Senate (18 - 16)
5/27 HB 2001 Scholarships for Disabled or Displaced Students Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
5/27 HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2)
5/26 SB 219 Extending Whistle-Blower Protection to UC Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/22 SB 311 Washoe County Fluoridation Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
5/20 LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
5/18 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 28)
5/18 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
5/18 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
5/14 SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)

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