banged the gavel. Republican lawmakers stood silently across the floor, some with their arms folded across their chests. Well, it was about what I thought it would be, said House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio as he quickly exited. Later, he issued a statement saying the $1.2 trillion legislation would add to the country's skyrocketing debt. I came here to renew the American Dream, so my kids and their kids have the same opportunities I had, Boehner said. I came here to fight big-government monstrosities like this bill that dim the light of freedom and diminish opportunity for future generations. Michael Steele, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, released an equally tersely worded statement. Nancy Pelosi and her liberal lieutenants made a lot of promises today to get the votes they desperately needed, he said. Make no mistake -- the Democrat leadership's assurances were based on political expediency, not principle. Anyone receiving a promise from Pelosi is guaranteed to be disappointed in the end when their votes are no longer needed. Earlier in the day, Obama met behind closed doors with Democrats to shore up support for the bill, calling it a chance of a generation. In the run-up to the vote, Republicans and conservative Democrats joined forces to pass an amendment to the bill to prohibit federal funds for abortion services. It was considered a