Apparently, all Sen. Max Baucus wanted to do was get through Tuesday morning’s hearing before starting to inform his staff and close allies he was retiring.

But the Montana Democrat never got the chance, as news reports started lighting up iPhones and BlackBerrys just as he was set to convene a hearing on foster care. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., approached Baucus before the start of the hearing and said something to the effect of “Congratulations on your news,” a tipster in the room told HOH.

Baucus then gestured to the room behind them, and the two men went behind closed doors for about five minutes, our tipster told us. Then the two returned, as news alerts were popping and political handicappers continued to assess the fallout for the future of the Senate, Montana and “what it all means,” and Baucus attempted to talk about the importance of foster care.