At that time he was the youngest member of Congress at 26 years old. During his term he voted in favor of authorizing the invasion of Iraq. He became chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee and House Republican Conference Chairman. He became the top Republican to call for U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez to be ousted. Putnam served in the House until 2011 when he became the 11th Florida Commission of Agriculture by defeating Scott Maddox with 56% of the vote.