Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., has some career advice: Don’t become a senator. Cotton swung by his old stomping grounds in the House chamber to witness the House elect its next speaker Thursday morning. And on his way back through Statuary Hall and the Rotunda, he spotted a woman holding a a baby with a pink onesie with “Future U.S. Senator” printed on it.  

Cotton, whose first child was born in April, was drawn to the youngster, and joked with the woman, “Try to get them to grow up to do something better in life than do that.”  

Cotton was one of several senators who crossed the Rotunda to witness Rep. Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., become the next speaker of the House. He stood in the back of the chamber as the vote took place, surprising a few former House colleagues. Cotton served one term in the House before being elected to the Senate in November 2014, and said he wanted to witness the historic occasion.  

“It’s rare that our country does this and it’s a great moment of pageantry for us,” Cotton told HOH as he made his way back to the Senate.  

“Good fun,” He said of being back in the House. “It’s always fun to go back. I wish I could do more to see all my old friends over there.”