Symbolic

Congress Battles Over Plastic Cutlery

GOP takeover brings back plastic utensils.

Did anyone really think things would get so bad between Democrats and Republicans in Congress that they'd be arguing over spoons and cups? It’s true: When Republicans reclaimed the House in November, they brought back plastic cutlery and foam cups after years of compostable ones used under Democratic rule. Oregon Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer penned a letter to Speaker John Boehner this week, signed by several other Democrats, asking to bring back the compostable cutlery to help reduce Congress’ carbon emissions. Republicans have shot back that the compostable materials cost $475,000, and often dissolved in hot soup. A Republican spokeswoman said the GOP is examining other “green” initiatives for the cafeteria, including reusable dinnerware at the Rayburn Office Building.