Senate Votes To Privatize Its Failing Restaurants

Washington Post ^ | Paul Kane

[writer33]

Year after year, decade upon decade, the U.S. Senate's network of restaurants has lost staggering amounts of money -- more than $18 million since 1993, according to one report, and an estimated $2 million this year alone, according to another.

The financial condition of the world's most exclusive dining hall and its affiliated Capitol Hill restaurants, cafeterias and coffee shops has become so dire that, without a $250,000 subsidy from taxpayers, the Senate won't make payroll next month.

[writer33]

They keep saying how much money they could make on the outside, why don’t some of those that have spent a life on the ‘teat’ retire and go make the ‘big bucks’ that we make?

You know how hard it is to get off the teat. Most of them can't make a good dollar. It's too easy to work in government.

[mylife]

And here I am using Catsup like a sap!

[writer33]

Good point. You would pay taxes on it indeed.

[Eagles6]

Buy? I have no doubt that we “buy” all of their gas. As I recall their “expense accounts” are more than most of us gross.

[singfreedom]

Pretty incredible, huh? The most remarkable thing is this Senator Menendez, of N.J., that can't see the sense in privatizing this mess! We don't need enemies with these dildos in the Senate!

[writer33]

I hate you.

:-)

[Grizzled Bear]

If you are from the future, and this is true, I will sleep better at night.

Wait a minute! Hey Buddy! Howzabout some Superbowl stats and some stock tips?

[mylife]

;)

[Rebelbase]

My folks used to eat there a few times a year when they used to go visit their Congressman and always spotted some politico eating there. Usually Staffers, clerks and tourists make up the bulk of customers.

On one of my trips went we left the cafeteria and rode the subway under the road to the Capitol bldg. Senators Fred Thompson and Hal Heflin sat across from us on the ride there.

[singfreedom]

I just returned last week from my first trip to Washington, D.C. I was absolutely stricken by the fact that some of our most important national treasures are in the care of complete idiots. (...and they have the nerve to complain they they aren’t represented in the Senate.)

[Rebelbase]

“Great tour, yet we were not allowed to get over to the Senate side, “

Ah. If they’ve closed it to everyone but Senate and staff no wonder it’s floundering.

[Draft Phil Gramm for VP]

the only people who eat down there are staffers and tourists. definitely not Senators. (they eat at the dining room in the Capitol).

[upchuck]

From the article (highlight mine):

"I know what happens with privatization. Workers lose jobs, and the next generation of workers make less in wages. These are some of the lowest-paid workers in our country, and I want to help them," Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), a staunch labor union ally, said recently. The wages of the approximately 100 Senate food service workers average $37,000 annually.

Why is everything Congress does so frigged up?

See, it's outrageous stuff like this that's gonna bring on the Next American Revolution.

$37,000. Lowest-paid workers? Damn!

[count-your-change]

Tut tut now, go across the street when urgent business may come up at any moment? Is the entire street air conditioned and carpeted? What about people with picture phones?
No, no , no that just won't do, won't do at all and we'll forget you ever suggested it!
Imagine, walking across the street to eat.

[MarkL]

Real tomato ketchup, Eddie.

Nothing but the best, Mark. :-)

I'll bet they even use real hamburger in their "Hamburger Helper," even though it's just fine by itself!

I wonder how much they pay the girls to stir the cool aid with their hands?

Mark

[singfreedom]

I bet it's Heinz-—and the Kerrys get a cut of the profits.

[jblair]

I really need to do a better job of exploiting opportunities - I’ll settle for S&P/Russell numbers for the next 200 quarters.

[kewlhandluke2]

And the haircuts? What about the gym? The senate does have it’s privileges.

[2nd amendment mama]

bookmark

[Fiji Hill]

The cafeteria in the basement of the Senate office building is a great place to eat lunch when touring Capitol Hill.

I used to eat there and at the House cafeteria when I was an intern for the National Journalism Center. I especially enjoyed the "Senate bean soup" in the Senate cafeteria.