Getting on Steve Scalise’s Sweet Side
Just because a GOP lawmaker shepherds a bill through the fiercely partisan chamber does not mean that proposal will ever become law. But first timers who collect enough “yeas” can look forward to a calorific salute from House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.

The Louisiana Republican has taken to doling out celebratory sweets to colleagues who manage to log an inaugural win on the House floor.
The sugary rewards vary. Ohio Republican Brad Wenstrup found himself on the receiving end of what appears to be a cookie cake after his bid to assist homeless vets got booted over to the Senate.
Thanks for your support @SteveScalise as the House continues to work for our #veterans w/ bills like HR 474 pic.twitter.com/kELQWC5H6t
— Brad Wenstrup (@RepBradWenstrup) May 19, 2015

“What a pleasant surprise and kind gesture from the Whip. Always a gentleman and very representative of the kind of person he is,” the pol from Polynesia related in an official statement .
Marking professional milestones is important, Team Scalise told HOH.
“Mr. Scalise brings a ‘work hard, play hard’ attitude to the job and he believes in celebrating success along the way. Pralines, a cookie cake, or a champagne toast are just a few of the small ways Mr. Scalise likes to help his colleagues celebrate their achievements in the House,” Scalise spokesman Chris Bond explained via email. “It’s his way of doing a little something extra—‘lagniappe,’ as it’s called in Louisiana.”
His office declined to discuss the specifics of the gustatory gift giving.
A disbursement report from the final quarter of 2014 shows Scalise forked over $139.80 to Corner Bakery and dropped $99.38 at Harris Teeter. (Could this be cookie cake central?)
More importantly, it remains unclear whether the ultimate congratulatory confection, Fudgie the Whale, is in play.
Regardless, the sweet talking does not appear to carry across the aisle.
“Nope, nothing yet,” a House Democratic aide replied after being queried about whether a widely endorsed measure garnered any gourmet props. “It must’ve gotten lost in the mail, since I’m sure the majority whip wants to encourage bills … that can break through the partisan gridlock and pass with unanimous support from both parties.”
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