GOP senators declare 'Meat Monday' in slap to USDA

By Elise Viebeck - 07/30/12 02:01 PM ET

Two prominent Republican senators declared "Meat Monday" in a slap at the Department of Agriculture's recommendation that people forgo animal products once a week.

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) publicized a photo of food containers from Hill Country, a barbecue chain with a location near the Capitol. The feast was purchased in response to the news last week that USDA was promoting "Meatless Mondays" as a way for employees to reduce their carbon footprint.

"In some of the toughest times they’ve seen in recent memory, Texas cattle ranchers and farmers deserve an administration who works with them," Cornyn said in a statement, "not one who undermines them with boneheaded decisions from bureaucrats in Washington."

A staffer said that there was "plenty to go around" for the two senators' employees. The lunch included a total of 52 orders of barbecue beef sandwiches, brisket, sausage and ribs, as well as sides of cornbread and macaroni and cheese.

"This is a reminder to USDA that it’s supposed to advocate for American agriculture, not against it," Grassley added.

According to Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), USDA will no longer promote "Meatless Mondays" in its online newsletter.

"With extreme drought conditions plaguing much of the United States, the USDA should be more concerned about helping drought-stricken producers rather than demonizing an industry reeling from the lack of rain," Moran said on the Senate floor Thursday.