With another election behind us, I still believe that conservative ideas define where the country wants to be and needs to be. And I believe that together we held the Democrats accountable and that we began to define some of the differences between our parties.

[…]

Yet, in part due to circumstances beyond our control, we were not successful in 2008. And I believe my instincts two years ago were correct, I can best contribute to our efforts to regain the majority and advance the interests of the American people in a different role in the 111th Congress. Therefore, I will not seek re-election as your whip.

Blunt lists a number of accomplishments he attributes to House GOP leaders over the past two years. Among them are: the defeat of a bill that would have provided health coverage to uninsured kids; support for the surge in Iraq; the prevention of “billions of dollars of frivolous spending” at the hands of the Democrats; the August coup to drum up public support for an expansion of offshore oil drilling; and “an unprecedented number of motions to recommit.”

The third-ranking House Republican, Rep. Adam Putnam (Fla.), resigned his post as conference chairman on Election Day.