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
May 27, 2008 MI Byrnes Amdt: Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Exception For Rape And Incest Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 66)
May 7, 2008 MN Dean Amendment: Stem cell research that does not destroy, injure or create human embryos Amendment Rejected - House (65 - 69)
April 1, 2008 MN Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66)
May 27, 2008 MI Bauer Amdt: Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Exception For A Woman's Health Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 67)
May 27, 2008 MI Meadows Amdt: Access to Contraceptives Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 66)
May 27, 2008 MI Bauer Amdt: Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Exception For A Woman's Health Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 67)
May 27, 2008 MI Byrnes Amdt: Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Exception For Rape And Incest Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 66)
May 27, 2008 MI Meadows Amdt: Access to Contraceptives Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 66)
Oct. 27, 2008 NJ A 2550 Renewable Energy Facilities Within Industrial Districts Bill Passed - House (60 - 15)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ A 4559 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ A 4559 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (43 - 31)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI A Amnd. 1 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI A Amnd. 1 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
May 28, 2008 WI AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 39)
July 14, 2008 CA AB 1155 Penalties for Healthcare Service Plan Underpayments or Failures to Pay Service Providers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 26)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 151 Financial Aid Ineligibility for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
Aug. 25, 2008 CA AB 1879 Regulating Chemicals in Consumer Products Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Aug. 19, 2008 CA AB 1894 Health Insurance Coverage of HIV Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 29)
Aug. 14, 2008 CA AB 1894 Health Insurance Coverage of HIV Testing Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Aug. 31, 2008 CA AB 1945 Health Insurance Cancellation Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2008 CA AB 1945 Health Insurance Cancellation Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Aug. 12, 2008 CA AB 1946 Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 29)
Aug. 7, 2008 CA AB 1946 Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 1991 Development on Half Moon Bay Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
May 27, 2008 CA AB 1996 Food Stamps for Convicted Drug Felons Bill Passed - House (42 - 35)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 2058 Paper and Plastic Bag Tax Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
Aug. 12, 2008 CA AB 2270 Water Softener Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 19)
Aug. 7, 2008 CA AB 2270 Water Softener Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Aug. 20, 2008 CA AB 2279 Prohibiting Employment Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Aug. 20, 2008 CA AB 2279 Prohibiting Employment Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 2279 Prohibiting Employment Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients Bill Passed - House (41 - 35)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 2279 Prohibiting Employment Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients Bill Passed - House (41 - 35)
May 29, 2008 CA AB 2572 Nutritional Disclosure Bill Bill Passed - House (46 - 15)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 2716 Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (45 - 33)
Aug. 20, 2008 CA AB 2747 Disclosing End-of-Life Care Options Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 2747 Disclosing End-of-Life Care Options Bill Passed - House (42 - 34)
Aug. 28, 2008 CA AB 2765 Aerial Spraying Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 14)
Aug. 22, 2008 CA AB 2765 Aerial Spraying Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Aug. 22, 2008 CA AB 3025 Polystyrene Packaging Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
May 27, 2008 CA AB 3025 Polystyrene Packaging Regulations Bill Passed - House (42 - 32)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 346 Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
Jan. 23, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
Jan. 23, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 47 Health Savings Account Tax Deductions Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 710 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
Feb. 28, 2008 WI AB 710 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
March 5, 2008 WI AB 901 Austism Treatment Funding Bill Passed - House (55 - 39)
July 14, 2008 CA AB 97 Trans Fats Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
July 2, 2008 CA AB 97 Trans Fats Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 5 Modifying Transportation Project Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Feb. 14, 2008 NE AM 1736 Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
Nov. 18, 2008 NE Amdt 4 Establishing an Age Limit on Safe Haven Law Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 26)
Feb. 26, 2008 IN Amnd. 2 Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45)
May 29, 2008 CA CA SB 1665 Prison Health Care Facility Bonds Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 15)
Jan. 24, 2008 CO GN Baker Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 27, 2008 SC H 3567 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Failed - House (54 - 57)
May 7, 2008 SC H 3567 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
Feb. 26, 2008 ID H 503 Scholarships for Drug-Free Students Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
March 17, 2008 ID H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 5, 2008 ID H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
March 17, 2008 ID H 562 Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 5, 2008 ID H 562 Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
March 7, 2008 ID H 586 State Administered Vehicle Emissions Testing Bill Passed - House (42 - 26)
April 25, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
May 1, 2008 RI H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
March 4, 2008 MO HA 5 Defining Mifepristone as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance Amendment Adopted - House
Oct. 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 11 to H 5300 Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. Funding Amendment Tabled - House (66 - 50)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 3A Cigarette Tax Increase for Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (67 - 51)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 4A Cigarette Tax for Small Business Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (60 - 58)
May 21, 2008 SC H Amdt 7A To Reduce Income Tax Amendment Tabled - House (68 - 52)
March 11, 2008 PA HB 1 Clean Energy Program Bill Passed - House (126 - 74)
Feb. 21, 2008 MS HB 1013 Altering Medicaid and Medicare Eligibility and Increasing Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - House (75 - 41)
March 7, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 7)
March 6, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
Jan. 30, 2008 CO HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1069 Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Jan. 30, 2008 CO HB 1069 Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands Bill Passed - House (43 - 22)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 28)
May 2, 2008 CO HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
April 22, 2008 CO HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (36 - 28)
Jan. 30, 2008 IN HB 1090 Climate Registry Act Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1107 Energy Efficiency Requirements Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
March 31, 2008 GA HB 1158 Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
March 11, 2008 GA HB 1158 Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee Bill Passed - House (164 - 7)
March 13, 2008 NH HB 1160 Pre-Abortion Counseling Requirement for Minors "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (236 - 79)
March 13, 2008 NH HB 1160 Pre-Abortion Counseling Requirement for Minors "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (236 - 79)
May 5, 2008 CO HB 1161 Mining Regulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 15)
May 2, 2008 CO HB 1161 Mining Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
March 31, 2008 CO HB 1161 Mining Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 16)
Jan. 29, 2008 SD HB 1193 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 31)
Jan. 29, 2008 SD HB 1193 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 31)
April 1, 2008 CO HB 1228 Insurance Company Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 23)
March 27, 2008 CO HB 1228 Insurance Company Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1228 Insurance Company Regulations Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
April 15, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 10)
March 31, 2008 CO HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/27 Byrnes Amdt: Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Exception For Rape And Incest Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 66)
5/07 Dean Amendment: Stem cell research that does not destroy, injure or create human embryos Amendment Rejected - House (65 - 69)
4/01 Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - House (64 - 66)
5/27 Bauer Amdt: Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Exception For A Woman's Health Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 67)
5/27 Meadows Amdt: Access to Contraceptives Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 66)
5/27 Bauer Amdt: Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Exception For A Woman's Health Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 67)
5/27 Byrnes Amdt: Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Exception For Rape And Incest Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 66)
5/27 Meadows Amdt: Access to Contraceptives Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 66)
10/27 A 2550 Renewable Energy Facilities Within Industrial Districts Bill Passed - House (60 - 15)
1/07 A 4559 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
1/07 A 4559 Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (43 - 31)
2/28 A Amnd. 1 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
2/28 A Amnd. 1 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
2/28 A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
2/28 A Amnd. 2 Exemptions to Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Amendment Tabled - House (54 - 43)
5/28 AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 39)
7/14 AB 1155 Penalties for Healthcare Service Plan Underpayments or Failures to Pay Service Providers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 26)
3/05 AB 151 Financial Aid Ineligibility for Drug Offenders Bill Passed - House (70 - 24)
8/25 AB 1879 Regulating Chemicals in Consumer Products Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
8/19 AB 1894 Health Insurance Coverage of HIV Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 29)
8/14 AB 1894 Health Insurance Coverage of HIV Testing Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
8/31 AB 1945 Health Insurance Cancellation Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 17)
8/31 AB 1945 Health Insurance Cancellation Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
8/12 AB 1946 Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 29)
8/07 AB 1946 Expanding Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
5/28 AB 1991 Development on Half Moon Bay Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
5/27 AB 1996 Food Stamps for Convicted Drug Felons Bill Passed - House (42 - 35)
5/28 AB 2058 Paper and Plastic Bag Tax Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
8/12 AB 2270 Water Softener Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 19)
8/07 AB 2270 Water Softener Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
8/20 AB 2279 Prohibiting Employment Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
8/20 AB 2279 Prohibiting Employment Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
5/28 AB 2279 Prohibiting Employment Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients Bill Passed - House (41 - 35)
5/28 AB 2279 Prohibiting Employment Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients Bill Passed - House (41 - 35)
5/29 AB 2572 Nutritional Disclosure Bill Bill Passed - House (46 - 15)
5/28 AB 2716 Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (45 - 33)
8/20 AB 2747 Disclosing End-of-Life Care Options Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
5/28 AB 2747 Disclosing End-of-Life Care Options Bill Passed - House (42 - 34)
8/28 AB 2765 Aerial Spraying Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 14)
8/22 AB 2765 Aerial Spraying Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
8/22 AB 3025 Polystyrene Packaging Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
5/27 AB 3025 Polystyrene Packaging Regulations Bill Passed - House (42 - 32)
3/05 AB 346 Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - House (57 - 38)
1/23 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
1/23 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - House (61 - 35)
2/28 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
2/28 AB 377 Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Victims Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
3/05 AB 47 Health Savings Account Tax Deductions Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
2/28 AB 710 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
2/28 AB 710 Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (59 - 38)
3/05 AB 901 Austism Treatment Funding Bill Passed - House (55 - 39)
7/14 AB 97 Trans Fats Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
7/02 AB 97 Trans Fats Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
12/18 ABx1 5 Modifying Transportation Project Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
2/14 AM 1736 Eliminating Opt-Out Provision of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
11/18 Amdt 4 Establishing an Age Limit on Safe Haven Law Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 26)
2/26 Amnd. 2 Permitting Lawsuits for Injuries Caused by Hazardous Substances Amendment Adopted - House (52 - 45)
5/29 CA SB 1665 Prison Health Care Facility Bonds Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 15)
1/24 GN Baker Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/27 H 3567 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Failed - House (54 - 57)
5/07 H 3567 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
2/26 H 503 Scholarships for Drug-Free Students Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
3/17 H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/05 H 561 Tax Exemptions for the Processing of Fuel for Energy Production Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
3/17 H 562 Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/05 H 562 Tax Exemption for New Capital Investments Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
3/07 H 586 State Administered Vehicle Emissions Testing Bill Passed - House (42 - 26)
4/25 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 12)
5/01 H 7204 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
3/04 HA 5 Defining Mifepristone as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance Amendment Adopted - House
10/21 H Amdt 11 to H 5300 Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. Funding Amendment Tabled - House (66 - 50)
5/21 H Amdt 3A Cigarette Tax Increase for Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (67 - 51)
5/21 H Amdt 4A Cigarette Tax for Small Business Employee Health Care Amendment Tabled - House (60 - 58)
5/21 H Amdt 7A To Reduce Income Tax Amendment Tabled - House (68 - 52)
3/11 HB 1 Clean Energy Program Bill Passed - House (126 - 74)
2/21 HB 1013 Altering Medicaid and Medicare Eligibility and Increasing Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - House (75 - 41)
3/07 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 7)
3/06 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
1/30 HB 1025 Governor's Energy Office Bill Passed - House (59 - 5)
2/27 HB 1069 Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
1/30 HB 1069 Prohibiting Motor Vehicles on Public Lands Bill Passed - House (43 - 22)
5/05 HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 28)
5/02 HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
4/22 HB 1082 Sealing Criminal Records Bill Passed - House (36 - 28)
1/30 HB 1090 Climate Registry Act Bill Passed - House (53 - 44)
2/27 HB 1107 Energy Efficiency Requirements Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
3/31 HB 1158 Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
3/11 HB 1158 Motor Vehicle Trauma Care Fee Bill Passed - House (164 - 7)
3/13 HB 1160 Pre-Abortion Counseling Requirement for Minors "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (236 - 79)
3/13 HB 1160 Pre-Abortion Counseling Requirement for Minors "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (236 - 79)
5/05 HB 1161 Mining Regulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 15)
5/02 HB 1161 Mining Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
3/31 HB 1161 Mining Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 16)
1/29 HB 1193 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 31)
1/29 HB 1193 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 31)
4/01 HB 1228 Insurance Company Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 23)
3/27 HB 1228 Insurance Company Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
2/27 HB 1228 Insurance Company Regulations Bill Passed - House (40 - 25)
4/15 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 10)
3/31 HB 1270 Prohibiting Restrictions on Energy Efficiency Measures Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)

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