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
Aug. 29, 2006 CA SB 1379 Biomonitoring Program Bill Passed - House (47 - 30)
June 1, 2006 CA SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Failed - House (33 - 40)
June 14, 2006 LA Amendment #B-635 “Safety Valve” Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 28)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1414 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Aug. 30, 2006 CA SB 1414 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
June 29, 2006 CA SB 1 Solar Energy Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
Aug. 30, 2006 CA AB 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 36)
Aug. 29, 2006 CA AB 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
March 15, 2006 MD Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29)
March 21, 2006 NH HB 1682 Emergency Contraceptives Requirement "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (189 - 118)
March 16, 2006 NH SB 343 Emergency Contraceptives Bill "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
March 23, 2006 MD Amendment 953927 Stem Cell Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 93)
March 15, 2006 MD Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32)
March 15, 2006 MD Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32)
March 9, 2006 NH HB 1492 Emergency Contraceptives and Pharmacists "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (215 - 106)
March 2, 2006 MI Sub for SB 1028 Changes to the Family Independent Agency Bill Passed - House (56 - 45)
Feb. 14, 2006 MI Sub for SB 1028 Changes to the Family Independent Agency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
June 6, 2006 AK HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12)
June 4, 2006 AK HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Bill Passed - House (28 - 12)
June 8, 2006 AK CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6)
June 8, 2006 AK CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Rejected - House (13 - 25)
March 28, 2006 MD SB 297 Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
March 27, 2006 MD Amendment 3929 to SB 297 Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28)
July 13, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
July 13, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
June 7, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
June 7, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
June 27, 2006 CA SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
June 27, 2006 CA SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (64 - 8)
Feb. 7, 2006 MI Sub for HB 5453 Changes to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act Bill Passed - House (63 - 42)
May 23, 2006 MI Sub for HB 5453 Changes to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Jan. 31, 2006 SD SB 175 Emergency Contraceptives for Rape Victims Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 26)
Feb. 15, 2006 PA SB 1025 PA Clean Vehicles Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
March 27, 2006 ME LD 1926 Amending Work Place Smoking Laws Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
March 16, 2006 OK HB 2844 Prescription Drug Reimportation Bill Bill Passed - House (70 - 18)
June 29, 2006 PA HB 1588 Fluoride Content in Water Bill Passed - House (150 - 42)
April 11, 2006 VA Amdt Item 4-5.04-2h Abortion Funding Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (59 - 34)
May 24, 2006 ME HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (73 - 73)
March 1, 2006 UT 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
May 24, 2006 OK SB 1713 Trafficking Illegal Drugs Conference Report Rejected - Senate (23 - 24)
June 15, 2006 LA SB 742 Smoking Ban Bill Bill Passed - House (58 - 33)
April 26, 2006 OK SB 1434 Prescription Drug Reimportation Act Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
April 26, 2006 OK SB 1434 Prescription Drug Reimportation Act Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
March 6, 2006 OK SB 1434 Prescription Drug Reimportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 6, 2006 OK SB 1434 Prescription Drug Reimportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 13, 2006 OK HB 2842 Medicaid Reform Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (81 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA AB 32 Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 32)
Aug. 30, 2006 CA AB 32 Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
May 24, 2006 ME HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
Feb. 22, 2006 KS Amend Abortion Clinic Regulation Amendment Adopted - House (66 - 56)
Jan. 23, 2007 VA HB 1883 Abortion Clinic Licensure Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
Jan. 29, 2007 AZ SB 1032 Emergency Room Malpractice Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
May 10, 2007 AZ SB 1032 Emergency Room Malpractice Bill Failed - House (26 - 29)
Jan. 26, 2007 ND HB 1466 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 26)
Jan. 29, 2007 AR HB 1173 Reversal of the BMI Report Card Requirement Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
Jan. 26, 2007 ND HB 1464 Abortion Regulation Bill Failed - House (39 - 49)
Jan. 26, 2007 ND HB 1494 Prenatal Testing Bill Failed - House (29 - 60)
Jan. 24, 2007 SD SB 74 Allowing Friends to Make Medical Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Jan. 26, 2007 CO SB 1 Discounted Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Jan. 30, 2007 CO SB 60 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Survivors Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 16, 2006 National S Con Res 83 2007 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
March 16, 2006 National S Con Res 83 2007 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
May 23, 2006 National HR 5384 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (378 - 46)
July 18, 2006 National S 2754 Alternative Stem Cell Therapies Act Bill Failed - House (273 - 154)
Dec. 7, 2006 National PN 1396 Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11)
Dec. 7, 2006 National PN 1396 Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11)
Sept. 17, 1996 National HR 3816 Appropriations bill FY97, Energy and Water Development Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 8)
Sept. 12, 1996 National HR 3816 Appropriations bill FY97, Energy and Water Development Conference Report Adopted - House (383 - 29)
Nov. 8, 1997 National HR 2264 Appropriations bill FY98, Labor, HHS, Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4)
Nov. 7, 1997 National HR 2264 Appropriations bill FY98, Labor, HHS, Education Conference Report Adopted - House (352 - 65)
July 27, 2006 National HR 4157 Better Health Information Systems Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (270 - 148)
April 28, 2005 National H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 211)
April 28, 2005 National H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 211)
April 28, 2005 National H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
April 28, 2005 National H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 1, 2006 National H Res 653 Budget Reconciliation Adoption Resolution Passed - House (216 - 214)
Dec. 19, 2005 National S 1932 Budget Reconciliation Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (212 - 206)
Dec. 19, 2005 National S 1932 Budget Reconciliation Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (212 - 206)
Nov. 16, 2005 National HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (94 - 5)
Nov. 9, 2005 National HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 19)
Nov. 18, 2003 National HR 2754 Energy and Water Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Conference Report Adopted - House (387 - 36)
July 12, 1996 National H Amdt 1280 Family Planning Services Clinics Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (232 - 193)
June 9, 2006 National HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
June 9, 2006 National HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
June 9, 2006 National HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
Aug. 1, 2006 National S 3711 Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (71 - 25)
Aug. 1, 1996 National HR 3103 Health Insurance Portability bill Conference Report Adopted - House (421 - 2)
Aug. 2, 1996 National HR 3103 Health Insurance Portability bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0)
Nov. 21, 2003 National HR 1904 Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 Conference Report Adopted - House (286 - 140)
Feb. 11, 1998 National S 1601 Human Cloning Research bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (42 - 54)
May 3, 2006 National S Amdt 3688 Influenza Vaccine Injury Compensation Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46)
Oct. 30, 2003 National HR 2691 Interior Department Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Conference Report Adopted - House (216 - 205)
April 1, 1998 National S Amdt 2169 Medicare Choices Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 47)
Feb. 2, 2006 National S Amdt 2730 Medicare Part D Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (52 - 45)
Jan. 12, 2007 National HR 4 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act Bill Passed - House (255 - 170)
March 8, 2006 National HR 4167 National Uniformity for Food Act Bill Passed - House (283 - 139)
March 8, 2006 National HR 4167 National Uniformity for Food Act Bill Passed - House (283 - 139)
March 16, 2006 National S Amdt 3103 Natural Resources and Environment Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 49)
May 1, 1996 National S 641 Ryan White CARE reauthorization Act of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - House (402 - 4)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/29 SB 1379 Biomonitoring Program Bill Passed - House (47 - 30)
6/01 SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
8/31 SB 1675 Renewable Diesel Fuel Requirements Bill Failed - House (33 - 40)
6/14 Amendment #B-635 “Safety Valve” Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 28)
8/31 SB 1414 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
8/30 SB 1414 Health Care Requirements for Large Companies Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
6/29 SB 1 Solar Energy Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
8/30 AB 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (42 - 36)
8/29 AB 1953 Amount of Lead in Plumbing Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
3/15 Amendment 503528 to SB 110 Funding to Family Planning Programs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 29)
3/21 HB 1682 Emergency Contraceptives Requirement "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (189 - 118)
3/16 SB 343 Emergency Contraceptives Bill "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
3/23 Amendment 953927 Stem Cell Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (46 - 93)
3/15 Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32)
3/15 Amendment 553220 Needle Exchange Funding Prohibition Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 32)
3/09 HB 1492 Emergency Contraceptives and Pharmacists "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (215 - 106)
3/02 Sub for SB 1028 Changes to the Family Independent Agency Bill Passed - House (56 - 45)
2/14 Sub for SB 1028 Changes to the Family Independent Agency Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
6/06 HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (8 - 12)
6/04 HCS CS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Bill Passed - House (28 - 12)
6/08 CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 6)
6/08 CCS SB 2001 Oil and Gas Tax (Special Session) Conference Report Rejected - House (13 - 25)
3/28 SB 297 Pharmacists Dispensing Emergency Contraception Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 24)
3/27 Amendment 3929 to SB 297 Prohibiting Requirement of Pharmacist to Dispense Emergency Contraception Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 28)
7/13 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
7/13 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
6/07 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
6/07 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
6/27 SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 2)
6/27 SB 1137 Sentences for Non-Violent Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (64 - 8)
2/07 Sub for HB 5453 Changes to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act Bill Passed - House (63 - 42)
5/23 Sub for HB 5453 Changes to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
1/31 SB 175 Emergency Contraceptives for Rape Victims Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 26)
2/15 SB 1025 PA Clean Vehicles Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
3/27 LD 1926 Amending Work Place Smoking Laws Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
3/16 HB 2844 Prescription Drug Reimportation Bill Bill Passed - House (70 - 18)
6/29 HB 1588 Fluoride Content in Water Bill Passed - House (150 - 42)
4/11 Amdt Item 4-5.04-2h Abortion Funding Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (59 - 34)
5/24 HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (73 - 73)
3/01 2SSB 19 Additions to Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 34)
5/24 SB 1713 Trafficking Illegal Drugs Conference Report Rejected - Senate (23 - 24)
6/15 SB 742 Smoking Ban Bill Bill Passed - House (58 - 33)
4/26 SB 1434 Prescription Drug Reimportation Act Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
4/26 SB 1434 Prescription Drug Reimportation Act Bill Passed - House (83 - 16)
3/06 SB 1434 Prescription Drug Reimportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/06 SB 1434 Prescription Drug Reimportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/13 HB 2842 Medicaid Reform Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (81 - 17)
8/31 AB 32 Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 32)
8/30 AB 32 Greenhouse Gases Emission Limits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
5/24 HCA A to LD 1845 Dirigo Health Insurance Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (16 - 17)
2/22 Amend Abortion Clinic Regulation Amendment Adopted - House (66 - 56)
1/23 HB 1883 Abortion Clinic Licensure Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
1/29 SB 1032 Emergency Room Malpractice Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
5/10 SB 1032 Emergency Room Malpractice Bill Failed - House (26 - 29)
1/26 HB 1466 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 26)
1/29 HB 1173 Reversal of the BMI Report Card Requirement Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
1/26 HB 1464 Abortion Regulation Bill Failed - House (39 - 49)
1/26 HB 1494 Prenatal Testing Bill Failed - House (29 - 60)
1/24 SB 74 Allowing Friends to Make Medical Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
1/26 SB 1 Discounted Prescription Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
1/30 SB 60 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Survivors Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/16 S Con Res 83 2007 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
3/16 S Con Res 83 2007 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
5/23 HR 5384 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (378 - 46)
7/18 S 2754 Alternative Stem Cell Therapies Act Bill Failed - House (273 - 154)
12/07 PN 1396 Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11)
12/07 PN 1396 Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11)
9/17 HR 3816 Appropriations bill FY97, Energy and Water Development Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 8)
9/12 HR 3816 Appropriations bill FY97, Energy and Water Development Conference Report Adopted - House (383 - 29)
11/08 HR 2264 Appropriations bill FY98, Labor, HHS, Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4)
11/07 HR 2264 Appropriations bill FY98, Labor, HHS, Education Conference Report Adopted - House (352 - 65)
7/27 HR 4157 Better Health Information Systems Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (270 - 148)
4/28 H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 211)
4/28 H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 211)
4/28 H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
4/28 H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
2/01 H Res 653 Budget Reconciliation Adoption Resolution Passed - House (216 - 214)
12/19 S 1932 Budget Reconciliation Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (212 - 206)
12/19 S 1932 Budget Reconciliation Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (212 - 206)
11/16 HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (94 - 5)
11/09 HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 19)
11/18 HR 2754 Energy and Water Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Conference Report Adopted - House (387 - 36)
7/12 H Amdt 1280 Family Planning Services Clinics Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (232 - 193)
6/09 HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
6/09 HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
6/09 HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
8/01 S 3711 Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (71 - 25)
8/01 HR 3103 Health Insurance Portability bill Conference Report Adopted - House (421 - 2)
8/02 HR 3103 Health Insurance Portability bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0)
11/21 HR 1904 Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 Conference Report Adopted - House (286 - 140)
2/11 S 1601 Human Cloning Research bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (42 - 54)
5/03 S Amdt 3688 Influenza Vaccine Injury Compensation Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46)
10/30 HR 2691 Interior Department Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Conference Report Adopted - House (216 - 205)
4/01 S Amdt 2169 Medicare Choices Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 47)
2/02 S Amdt 2730 Medicare Part D Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (52 - 45)
1/12 HR 4 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act Bill Passed - House (255 - 170)
3/08 HR 4167 National Uniformity for Food Act Bill Passed - House (283 - 139)
3/08 HR 4167 National Uniformity for Food Act Bill Passed - House (283 - 139)
3/16 S Amdt 3103 Natural Resources and Environment Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 49)
5/01 S 641 Ryan White CARE reauthorization Act of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - House (402 - 4)

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