The desk is a Senate tradition since the 1960s, and the senator who sits at it is responsible for ensuring it is stocked with sweets from the senator's home state. The contents of the candy desk are available to all senators regardless of political affiliation. The desk is located on the Republican side of the Senate Chamber, in the last row, on the aisle, and adjacent to the Chamber’s busiest entrance.
Indiana Senator Young takes over the desk from former Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), who had the desk from 2015-2023. Young is the second Hoosier to occupy the desk. Indiana Senator Richard Lugar held the desk from 1977-1979. As is tradition Young will be highlighting products from candy companies produced in his home state of Indiana, including Albanese gummies and American Licorice’s Sour Punch Straws.
“Candy manufacturers across Indiana are producing amazing treats, and my goal is to spotlight these unique products made and distributed by Hoosiers,” said Young. “The candy desk is a popular destination for senators from both sides of the aisle, and I’m excited to share Hoosier candies with my colleagues. Perhaps a taste of Hoosier hospitality will sweeten the sometimes bitter divide in Washington.”
Impeachment
Bloomberg reported that the desk recently gained more popularity when lawmakers couldn’t easily leave the floor during late-night budget ‘vote-a-ramas’ and the impeachment trials of former President Donald Trump. During those events Toomey kept the drawer stocked with candy from Pennsylvania chocolate maker Hershey Co, one of the nation’s biggest in a $13 billion industry. Hershey makes Kisses, Reese’s, and KitKat bars
Carly Schildhaus, National Confectioners Association spokesperson, said: “The candy desk has been bringing Senators together for decades. If there’s one thing that Republicans, Democrats and Independents can agree on it’s that candy is always a treat.”