 On March 11 , 2003 Republican U.S. Representatives Bob Ney and Walter B. Jones directed the three House cafeterias to change all references to French fries and French toast on menus , and replace them with Freedom fries and Freedom toast , respectively . Jones chose to follow Cubbie 's example by circulating a letter to his colleagues advocating their renaming because , he said , " the French were ' sitting on the sidelines . ' " As Ney was Chairman of the United States House Committee on House Administration , the action did not require any vote , as the committee has authority over House cafeterias . According to a statement released by Ney , the renaming was intended to express displeasure with France 's " continued refusal to stand with their U.S. allies " . The statement further read : " This action today is a small but symbolic effort to show the strong displeasure many on Capitol Hill have with our so @-@ called ally , France . " When asked about his view on the change , Jones said it was a " lighthearted gesture . " 
