Moderate House Republicans will get more attention in months ahead from Bush and Speaker Hastert, whose majority rests on a handful of votes. They'll have much to say about what happens in Bush's first year . Hastert can't count on enough conservative Democrats siding with the GOP to offset votes he may lose among three dozen or so moderates in his party. Bush will have to accept some watering down of his initiatives. On patients' bill of rights , conservatives will have to ease up on efforts to restrict courts patients can go to and limits on damages.
Education bill is sure to have extra money to win more backers.
Energy legislation will be reshaped to give conservation a boost. Renewables, such as biomass, solar and thermal, can expect more funding. Environmental concerns can't be shortchanged without running risk of losing moderates. They've already softened Bush on drilling in Alaska. Deals will rankle conservatives , but they know moderates need wins to avoid defeat at the polls in '02.