[xzins]

It seems to me that letting him come back just could be better revenge on him in the long run

There are benefits, but only if he returns to the Republican fold. None of the caucus stuff. Your comment above is excellent.

Realpolitik has its place.

We would automatically get a 2 vote margin in every committee if he were to come back. That makes the Landrieu/Terrell election in LA important, but not almighty important.

I think I'd offer him committee membership but not chairmanship.

[AmishDude]

I'd consider letting him chair a standing subcommittee of some sort, but he'd never get an actual chairmanship. Also, he'd have the lowest seniority of anybody in the caucus. Then maybe I'd let him back. Maybe.