House restaurants change name of 'french fries' and 'french toast'
Anger over France's position on Iraq
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The restaurant menus in the three House office buildings will change the name of "french fries" to "freedom fries," a culinary rebuke of France, stemming from anger over the country's refusal to support the U.S. position on Iraq.
Ditto for "french toast," which will be known as "freedom toast."
The name changes were spearheaded by two Republican lawmakers who plan to hold a news conference later Tuesday to make the name change official on the menus.
"This action today is a small, but symbolic effort to show the strong displeasure of many on Capitol Hill with the actions of our so-called ally, France," said Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, the chairman of the Committee on House Administration.
Ney, whose committee has authority over the House restaurants, directed the change, after colleague Walter Jones, R-North Carolina, circulated a letter suggesting such a move.
"I represent a district with multiple military bases that have deployed thousands of troops," Jones said in a statement. "As I've watched these men and women wave good-bye to their loved ones, I am reminded of the deep love they have for the freedom of this nation and their desire to fight for the freedom of those who are oppressed overseas," Jones said in a statement. "Watching France's self -serving politics of passive aggression in this effort has discouraged me more than I can say."
France has pressed the United Nations to give weapons inspectors more time in Iraq, saying the U.S. and British-led move to war is premature.