The Hill News

Most U.S. taxpayers would agree with the need for restraint in government spending and for government agencies to follow established policies governing procurement of products and services. However, last week’s grandstanding by Sen. Harry Reid over the reported cost of a muffin at a government meeting was most likely inaccurate and definitely shortsighted.
 
In contrast to the press reports that the Justice Department paid as much as $16 per muffin at a recent meeting in Washington, Hilton Worldwide noted last week that the contracted breakfast included fresh fruit, coffee, juice, and muffins, plus tax and gratuity for an all-inclusive price of $16 per person. That compares very favorably to the prices paid by the United States Senate over which Sen. Reid himself presides.
 
According to the United States Senate Dining Services website, “the Catering Department of the U.S. Senate Restaurants is responsible for providing ! food and beverage service to Senators, Officials of the United States Senate and outside groups who are sponsored by them.” A review of the menus posted online show breakfast cost ranging from $12 up to $20 per person before tax and gratuity, lunch ranging from $15.50 for deli meats up to $42 for a 3 course hot plated lunch, and dinners from $49 to 69 per person, with most selections above the current GSA per diem rates for Washington, DC of $12/$18/$36 for breakfast, lunch and dinner respectively and some of the Justice Management Division’s conference policy limits listed in the report.

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