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
April 11, 2024 IL SB 2979 Amends Liability Laws for Biometric Data Violations Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 13)
Feb. 1, 2023 KS HB 2015 Authorizes Employment Agency Designees to Petition for Mandatory Infectious Disease Testing Bill Passed - House (116 - 6)
July 26, 2022 National HR 8454 Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act Bill Passed - House (325 - 95)
July 1, 2022 MI HB 5558 Prohibits Research on Stem Cells Obtained from an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
July 1, 2022 MI HB 5559 Classifies Performing Research on the Tissue of an Aborted Fetus as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
April 4, 2022 National HR 5657 Medical Marijuana Research Act Bill Passed - House (343 - 75)
March 28, 2022 National HR 4521 America COMPETES Act of 2022 Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 28)
Feb. 9, 2022 MI HB 5559 Classifies Performing Research on the Tissue of an Aborted Fetus as a Felony Bill Passed - House (55 - 51)
Feb. 9, 2022 MI HB 5558 Prohibits Research on Stem Cells Obtained from an Abortion Bill Passed - House (55 - 51)
Feb. 4, 2022 National HR 4521 America COMPETES Act of 2022 Bill Passed - House (222 - 210)
June 8, 2021 National S 1260 United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
Oct. 20, 2020 PA SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Oct. 19, 2020 PA SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
June 7, 2018 MA H 4501 Authorizes Capital for State Life Sciences Capital Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
April 19, 2018 National PN 1359 Nomination of James Bridenstine to Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (50 - 49)
April 18, 2018 National PN 1359 Nomination of James Bridenstine to Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 48)
March 31, 2017 MT HB 622 Revises Programs, Funds, and Regulations Related to Invasive Species Bill Passed - House (100 - 0)
March 30, 2017 National HR 1431 EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (229 - 193)
March 29, 2017 National HR 1430 Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (228 - 194)
Jan. 31, 2017 RI HB 5098 Exempts University Researchers from Public Records Requests Bill Passed - House (59 - 8)
July 7, 2016 National S 764 Establishes Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (63 - 30)
Feb. 10, 2016 National HR 3293 Scientific Research in the National Interest Act Bill Passed - House (236 - 178)
June 3, 2015 National HR 2578 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (242 - 183)
May 21, 2015 National HR 2262 Spurring Private Aerospace Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (284 - 133)
May 20, 2015 National HR 1806 America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (217 - 205)
March 20, 2015 NM SB 94 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research Bill Passed - House (54 - 12)
March 2, 2015 NM SB 94 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
May 23, 2014 OK SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 8)
May 22, 2014 OK SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 9)
May 9, 2014 National HR 4438 American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (274 - 131)
May 2, 2014 MN SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 20)
May 1, 2014 MN SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Bill Passed - House (69 - 58)
April 24, 2014 OK SB 1848 Prohibits Nontherapeutic Research on Human Embryos and Establishes Standards for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - House (75 - 15)
April 23, 2014 MN SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
March 12, 2014 OK SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
March 5, 2014 OK HB 2638 Requires an Individual Arrested for Certain Crimes to Submit DNA Bill Failed - House (35 - 51)
Feb. 25, 2014 OK HB 2070 Prohibits Certain Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - House (73 - 14)
Dec. 11, 2013 National HR 2019 Kids First Research Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (295 - 103)
April 5, 2013 KS SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 8)
April 5, 2013 KS SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 30)
March 26, 2013 KS SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Bill Passed - House (90 - 32)
March 25, 2013 SD SB 115 Increases Commercial Fertilizer Inspection Fee Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 13)
Nov. 30, 2012 National HR 6429 STEM Jobs Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (245 - 139)
Sept. 20, 2012 National HR 6429 STEM Jobs Act of 2012 Bill Failed - House (257 - 158)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
May 21, 2012 CA SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 29, 2012 MO HB 1541 Provides Exemptions on Participating in Certain Medical Procedures. Bill Passed - House (113 - 41)
March 26, 2012 TN HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 23)
March 19, 2012 TN HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
March 15, 2012 OK HB 1551 Authorizes the Instruction of Various Scientific Theories Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
Feb. 29, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
Feb. 27, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 13, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
Oct. 26, 2011 CT SB 1401 Establishes the Connecticut Bioscience Collaboration Program Bill Passed - House (101 - 41)
Oct. 26, 2011 CT SB 1401 Establishes the Connecticut Bioscience Collaboration Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Sept. 23, 2011 MO SB 7 Incentives for Science-Based Businesses Bill Passed - House (94 - 48)
Sept. 23, 2011 MO HA 1 to SB 7 Prohibits Public Funding for Certain Life Science Research Projects Amendment Rejected - House (68 - 74)
Sept. 23, 2011 MO HA 1 to SB 7 Prohibits Public Funding for Certain Life Science Research Projects Amendment Rejected - House (68 - 74)
April 7, 2011 TN HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
Feb. 22, 2011 IN SB 192 Authorizing a Study of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
May 28, 2010 National HR 5116 Science and Technology Funding Bill Passed - House (262 - 150)
May 19, 2010 National HR 5325 Science and Technology Funding Bill Failed - House (261 - 148)
April 29, 2010 AZ SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
April 28, 2010 AZ SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
March 1, 2010 AZ SCR 1044 Prohibiting Human Cloning Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
Feb. 26, 2010 ID S 1353 Authorizing Health Care Professionals to Refuse Specific Health Care Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 23, 2010 SD HB 1083 Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake Bill Failed - House (45 - 23)
Feb. 4, 2010 OK HB 2430 2010-2011 Space Industry Development Authority Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
Aug. 5, 2009 NC SB 138 Banning Salvia Divinorum Bill Passed - House (96 - 15)
April 23, 2009 OK HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Failed - Senate (26 - 19)
April 23, 2009 OK HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Passed - House (68 - 26)
March 20, 2009 NM SB 77 Allowing Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Failed - House (30 - 38)
March 12, 2009 GA SB 169 In Vitro Embryo Creation Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 22)
Feb. 26, 2009 National HR 1105 2009 Budget Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 178)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD SB 195 Stem Cell Research Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
Feb. 19, 2009 NM SB 77 Allowing Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
June 12, 2008 MA H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
June 11, 2008 MA H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (142 - 15)
June 11, 2008 LA SB 733 Supplemental Science Teaching Materials Bill Passed - House (94 - 3)
May 29, 2008 CA AB 2076 Prohibiting E-verify Bill Passed - House (43 - 31)
May 7, 2008 MN Dean Amendment: Stem cell research that does not destroy, injure or create human embryos Amendment Rejected - House (65 - 69)
May 7, 2008 MN SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - House (71 - 62)
April 29, 2008 RI H 7107 Employment Verification Program Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
April 28, 2008 FL SB 2692 Teaching Evolution in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (71 - 43)
April 23, 2008 FL SB 2692 Science Curriculum Flexibility Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
April 15, 2008 LA HB 370 Banning Public Funds for Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
April 8, 2008 CO HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
March 20, 2008 MD SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - House (105 - 34)
March 14, 2008 MD SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 34)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
Feb. 27, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
Jan. 29, 2008 NM SB 23 Authorizing Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 29, 2008 NM SB 23 Authorizing Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Oct. 16, 2007 National HR 3093 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (75 - 19)
Aug. 1, 2007 National HR 3162 State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (225 - 204)
July 26, 2007 National HR 3093 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 Bill Passed - House (281 - 142)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/11 SB 2979 Amends Liability Laws for Biometric Data Violations Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 13)
2/01 HB 2015 Authorizes Employment Agency Designees to Petition for Mandatory Infectious Disease Testing Bill Passed - House (116 - 6)
7/26 HR 8454 Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act Bill Passed - House (325 - 95)
7/01 HB 5558 Prohibits Research on Stem Cells Obtained from an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
7/01 HB 5559 Classifies Performing Research on the Tissue of an Aborted Fetus as a Felony Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
4/04 HR 5657 Medical Marijuana Research Act Bill Passed - House (343 - 75)
3/28 HR 4521 America COMPETES Act of 2022 Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 28)
2/09 HB 5559 Classifies Performing Research on the Tissue of an Aborted Fetus as a Felony Bill Passed - House (55 - 51)
2/09 HB 5558 Prohibits Research on Stem Cells Obtained from an Abortion Bill Passed - House (55 - 51)
2/04 HR 4521 America COMPETES Act of 2022 Bill Passed - House (222 - 210)
6/08 S 1260 United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
10/20 SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
10/19 SB 1199 Specifies Provisions for Personal Delivery Devices Bill Passed - House (105 - 97)
6/07 H 4501 Authorizes Capital for State Life Sciences Capital Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
4/19 PN 1359 Nomination of James Bridenstine to Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (50 - 49)
4/18 PN 1359 Nomination of James Bridenstine to Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 48)
3/31 HB 622 Revises Programs, Funds, and Regulations Related to Invasive Species Bill Passed - House (100 - 0)
3/30 HR 1431 EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (229 - 193)
3/29 HR 1430 Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (228 - 194)
1/31 HB 5098 Exempts University Researchers from Public Records Requests Bill Passed - House (59 - 8)
7/07 S 764 Establishes Labeling Standards for Genetically Modified Foods Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (63 - 30)
2/10 HR 3293 Scientific Research in the National Interest Act Bill Passed - House (236 - 178)
6/03 HR 2578 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (242 - 183)
5/21 HR 2262 Spurring Private Aerospace Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (284 - 133)
5/20 HR 1806 America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (217 - 205)
3/20 SB 94 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research Bill Passed - House (54 - 12)
3/02 SB 94 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Research Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 8)
5/23 SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 8)
5/22 SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 9)
5/09 HR 4438 American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (274 - 131)
5/02 SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 20)
5/01 SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Bill Passed - House (69 - 58)
4/24 SB 1848 Prohibits Nontherapeutic Research on Human Embryos and Establishes Standards for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - House (75 - 15)
4/23 SF 2047 Authorizes State to Store Infant Blood Samples Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 22)
3/12 SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
3/05 HB 2638 Requires an Individual Arrested for Certain Crimes to Submit DNA Bill Failed - House (35 - 51)
2/25 HB 2070 Prohibits Certain Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - House (73 - 14)
12/11 HR 2019 Kids First Research Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (295 - 103)
4/05 SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 8)
4/05 SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 30)
3/26 SB 199 Establishes the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center Bill Passed - House (90 - 32)
3/25 SB 115 Increases Commercial Fertilizer Inspection Fee Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 13)
11/30 HR 6429 STEM Jobs Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (245 - 139)
9/20 HR 6429 STEM Jobs Act of 2012 Bill Failed - House (257 - 158)
8/27 SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
8/22 SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Bill Passed - House (46 - 30)
5/21 SB 1221 Prohibits the Use of Dogs to Hunt Bears or Bobcats Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/29 HB 1541 Provides Exemptions on Participating in Certain Medical Procedures. Bill Passed - House (113 - 41)
3/26 HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 23)
3/19 HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
3/15 HB 1551 Authorizes the Instruction of Various Scientific Theories Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
2/29 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
2/27 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/13 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
10/26 SB 1401 Establishes the Connecticut Bioscience Collaboration Program Bill Passed - House (101 - 41)
10/26 SB 1401 Establishes the Connecticut Bioscience Collaboration Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
9/23 SB 7 Incentives for Science-Based Businesses Bill Passed - House (94 - 48)
9/23 HA 1 to SB 7 Prohibits Public Funding for Certain Life Science Research Projects Amendment Rejected - House (68 - 74)
9/23 HA 1 to SB 7 Prohibits Public Funding for Certain Life Science Research Projects Amendment Rejected - House (68 - 74)
4/07 HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
2/22 SB 192 Authorizing a Study of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
5/28 HR 5116 Science and Technology Funding Bill Passed - House (262 - 150)
5/19 HR 5325 Science and Technology Funding Bill Failed - House (261 - 148)
4/29 SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
4/28 SB 1307 Treatment of Human Embryos Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
3/01 SCR 1044 Prohibiting Human Cloning Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
2/26 S 1353 Authorizing Health Care Professionals to Refuse Specific Health Care Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/23 HB 1083 Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake Bill Failed - House (45 - 23)
2/04 HB 2430 2010-2011 Space Industry Development Authority Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
8/05 SB 138 Banning Salvia Divinorum Bill Passed - House (96 - 15)
4/23 HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Failed - Senate (26 - 19)
4/23 HB 1326 Ban on Certain Types of Stem Cell Research Veto Override Passed - House (68 - 26)
3/20 SB 77 Allowing Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Failed - House (30 - 38)
3/12 SB 169 In Vitro Embryo Creation Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 22)
2/26 HR 1105 2009 Budget Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 178)
2/23 SB 195 Stem Cell Research Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 20)
2/19 SB 77 Allowing Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
6/12 H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
6/11 H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (142 - 15)
6/11 SB 733 Supplemental Science Teaching Materials Bill Passed - House (94 - 3)
5/29 AB 2076 Prohibiting E-verify Bill Passed - House (43 - 31)
5/07 Dean Amendment: Stem cell research that does not destroy, injure or create human embryos Amendment Rejected - House (65 - 69)
5/07 SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - House (71 - 62)
4/29 H 7107 Employment Verification Program Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
4/28 SB 2692 Teaching Evolution in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (71 - 43)
4/23 SB 2692 Science Curriculum Flexibility Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
4/15 HB 370 Banning Public Funds for Human Cloning Bill Passed - House (90 - 9)
4/08 HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
3/20 SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - House (105 - 34)
3/14 SB 90 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 7)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 34)
2/27 HB 1001 Expanding Bioscience Research Funding Bill Passed - House (52 - 13)
2/27 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/13 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
1/29 SB 23 Authorizing Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/29 SB 23 Authorizing Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
10/16 HR 3093 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (75 - 19)
8/01 HR 3162 State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (225 - 204)
7/26 HR 3093 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 Bill Passed - House (281 - 142)

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