 Freedom fries is a political euphemism for French fries in the United States . The term came to prominence in 2003 when the then Republican Chairman of the Committee on House Administration , Bob Ney , renamed the menu item in three Congressional cafeterias in response to France 's opposition to the proposed invasion of Iraq . Although originally supported with several restaurants changing their menus as well , the term fell out of use due to declining support for the Iraq War . Following Ney 's resignation as Chairman in 2006 , it was quietly reverted . 
