CNN

Tom Daschle and John Thune were once political adversaries, but time seems to have paved over the bitterness as the two were spotted shaking hands and patting each other on the back.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle returned “home” Tuesday to the Senate floor and stood alongside a bitter adversary to watch his longtime friend and South Dakota colleague Tim Johnson be sworn-in for a third term.

Sen. Johnson, who suffered a devastating stroke, was flanked by Daschle and Republican Sen. John Thune, who defeated the Democratic leader by a razor thin 51% to 49 % margin in what can be accurately described as a bitter contest. Daschle was first elected to Congress as a House member in 1978 and successfully ran for the Senate in 1986.

But time seems to have paved over the bitterness. As Thune and Daschle departed the Senate floor, the two former adversaries shook hands and patted each other on the back.

Daschle returns to Capitol Hill on Thursday for the Senate Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions Committee hearing on his nomination to be the next secretary of Health and Human Services.

Johnson said Tuesday his doctor is allowing him to go back to South Dakota.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Still recovering from a brain hemorrhage last December, Sen. Tim Johnson, D-South Dakota, announced Monday that he's finally returning to South Dakota at the end of the month.

"The doctors have given me a ‘thumbs up’, and Barb and I are incredibly excited to head home. We have missed our friends and family and cannot wait to meet our two new grandchildren,” Johnson said in a statement. "I know my return has taken longer than some people have liked - count me among them."

Since being released from the hospital, Johnson has been recuperating at his northern Virginia home. In his statement, he said that he is "eternally grateful" to his doctors and nurses and thanked the people of South Dakota for their support.

In the days immediately following Johnson's hemorrhage, the balance of power in the Senate was thrown into question. If Johnson hadn't been able to complete his term, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds, a Republican, would likely have appointed someone from the GOP to take his place. Such a move would have taken control away from the Democrats by virtue of Vice President Cheney’s tie-breaking vote.

– CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

Johnson’s Senate office released the above photo of the senator in mid May.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sen. Tim Johnson will be able to resume his duties as a U.S. senator, his doctor said Monday in a statement issued by the Democrat from South Dakota.

"In my discussions with Sen. Johnson, I am very well aware that he is interested in continuing his work as a senator and I am confident that he will be able to resume his duties," said Dr. Michael Yochelson, director of brain injury programs at National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington.

"During my last visit with him last week, he demonstrated physical improvement in his ability to walk across the room himself," he said. "I could also see continued improvement in his speech as it has become more fluid. With his improving language skills, the senator is able to express himself more clearly, which allows us to recognize the fact that he is doing well cognitively. He is reading the paper daily and talking with friends, family and colleagues. His memory and processing skills are strong."

Johnson's most recent MRI shows continued healing since last December's brain surgery, said Dr. Vivek Deshmukh, who performed the surgery.

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