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In a letter to members Tuesday night, House Republican
Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (Fla.) announced that he was stepping down from
his
leadership position.
Putnam is the first GOP leadership casualty of the 110th Congress, as
House Democrats pile up victories on Election Day.
“I have enjoyed every minute as Conference Chairman, but I believe it
is time to step off the leadership ladder and return my focus to crafting public
policy solutions for America’s generational challenges — the very reason I ran
for Congress in the first place,” Putnam wrote. “In the coming Congress, I look
forward to focusing on the policy solutions critical to the state of Florida
and the important work we face on the Financial Services Committee to hold Wall
Street accountable and put our economy back on the right track.”
He said that he came to the decision reluctantly and listed several
accomplishments
the conference completed during his tenure, including blocking tax hikes and
the energy protest.
“Upon becoming Chairman, I endeavored to make Conference an agile,
expert and real-time communications and legislative arm, one that would serve
our Members and drive our message both inside and outside the Beltway,” he wrote.
“I am confident that Conference will be well-positioned to win a vigorous
debate with congressional Democrats under our next Chairman.”
Putnam came under fire internally for his actions during the debate
over the $700 billion economic rescue bill when some members believed he was promoting
his views on the bill, rather than those of the Republican Conference.
Putnam was also at odds with much of the GOP conference on the housing
reform
bill, which the 34-year-old supported.
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