Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairman John Barrasso of Wyoming wants to ensure his predecessors don’t leave town with a bad taste in their mouths. So the good doctor is sending off RPC alumni with cake and kind words.

Retiring Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas and Jon Kyl of Arizona will be honored at a farewell reception scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday in Russell 347.

A Barrasso aide said former RPC Chairman John Thune of South Dakota (who is now Conference chairman) is also expected to attend, as are Senate staffers who served under each respective leader. All of the attendees will be privy to celebratory cake, while Hutchison and Kyl will also each receive a special parting gift from Barrasso.

Any takers on whether scandal-plagued former RPC leaders such as Larry E. Craig of  Idaho and/or John Ensign of Nevada are daring enough to try to crash the festivities?

Correction, Dec. 11

An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated the time of Barrasso’s reception. The reception will take place at 4 p.m.