In the hallowed halls of Congress, where tradition and modernity collide, Representative Tom Cole has carved out an unusual niche that smells distinctly of tobacco and history. Known affectionately as the "Cigar SCIF," Cole's office has become the unlikely epicenter for brokering crucial government funding agreements.

At 76, the cigar-and-whiskey-loving chair of the House Appropriations Committee has embraced an old-school approach to politics that seems to defy the odds. With a $1.6 trillion spending package on the line, Cole’s methods might seem archaic, yet they proved effective, paving the way through congressional gridlock and across the aisle.

Described by California Representative Darrell Issa as not just an office but a “smoke room,” this space, reminiscent of sensitive compartmented information facilities (SCIFs) used for classified meetings, has hosted numerous critical negotiations. Here, Cole’s interpersonal skills shine, focusing on relationships rather than just numbers.

“Tom doesn’t dazzle with statistics; he builds bridges,” Issa noted, crediting Cole’s personal touch as a pivotal factor in the legislative process.

The backdrop to these discussions is steeped in personal history and political lore. A grand photo of Cole’s great aunt, the famed Chickasaw storyteller Te Ata, oversees the proceedings. The setting is both grand and strategically located, offering immediate access to the House floor, a fact not lost on Cole who appreciates the “real estate” value of his office.

Even as the political winds shifted, with conservative demands for spending cuts and fiscal conservatives threatening to derail the process, Cole and his allies worked tirelessly. Their method? Quiet negotiations, often over cigars and whiskey, leading to the successful passage of 11 out of 12 annual funding bills.

The strategy employed by Cole involves not only direct negotiations but also empowering his colleagues. Known as the "cardinals," the chairs of the subcommittees within Appropriations, these key figures handle their own negotiations, guided by the overarching strategy set by Cole.

Despite his traditionalist ways, Cole’s approach has earned him respect from various quarters, including hard-liners within his party and across the aisle. Representative Scott Perry of Pennsylvania called Cole a major reason the House was “crawling out of the hole of ‘go along to get along’ politics.”

Across the Capitol, Cole’s counterparts like Senator Susan Collins and Representative Rosa DeLauro have also developed a functional rapport with him, despite opting for less odorous meeting places. DeLauro, a Democrat from Connecticut, describes Cole as a friend, highlighting the deep personal connections that underpin their professional interactions.

As Congress faces another potential shutdown, this time over Department of Homeland Security funding, all eyes are once again on Cole. His office, a blend of a gentleman’s club and a strategic command center, continues to be a place where deals are made, proving that sometimes, the old ways, complete with cigars and whiskey, can still navigate the complexities of modern American politics.