Photo by Plantains & Kimchi

This week the U.S. Senate moved ahead on debating a number of new gun control measures, including expanded background checks for gun buyers. The decision came with the acquiescence of a number of Republicans, who have seemed to shift on a limited number of gun control proposals since last year’s massacre in Newtown.

Today the Post details the role played by Republican Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey, who joined forces with Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W. Va.) on a bill that would close a loophole in the law mandating background checks for individuals seeking to purchase a gun. The bill was fueled by the spirit of compromise, with a healthy side of sandwiches from a popular local sandwich shop:

Toomey (R-Pa.) only emerged as a key player in recent days, but he first instructed his staff in March to reach out and determine how far along Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W. Va.) was on a proposal to expand gun background checks to virtually all gun purchases. The process ended late Tuesday as Toomey and Manchin staffers hammered out the particulars of a deal over sandwiches from Taylor Gourmet — a staple for Philadelphia transplants working in Washington.

Taylor Gourmet’s support is certainly widespread in Washington’s political class: President Obama paid a visit last year to talk up the value of small businesses. A recent report also found that congressional leaders spend up to $10,000 a month on food, which includes splurges at Taylor Gourmet.