As I Was Saying

In the spirit of bipartisanship, I'd like to thank Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Reid for their leadership.

Democrats conceded to the Republicans' stand on approving war funds without restrictions, fixing the alternative minimum tax without raising other taxes, renewing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) without expanding the program to adults and wealthier families, and passing an energy bill without higher taxes on the energy industry.

Republicans fended off Democrats' plans to bust President Bush's budget cap by $23 billion, to pass a federal hate-crimes law and to roll back sanctions on Cuba and regarding the Mexico City rule barring federal aid from family planning groups that promote abortion.

"On issue after issue, the accomplishments that have occurred ... were on our turf and on our terms," said Rep. Adam H. Putnam of Florida, chairman of the Republican Conference.