Press Releases
Senators Feinstein and Bennett Call for Examination of Senate Restaurants to Stop Growing Budget Deficit
Mar 22 2007
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Robert Bennett (R-Utah),Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, have called for the Architect of the Capitol and Government Accountability Office to review the Senate Restaurants budget and examine the causes for its increasing budget deficit.
The following is the text of Senators Feinstein and Bennett’s letters. First is their letter sent yesterday to Acting Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers:
March 21, 2007
The Honorable Stephen Ayers
Acting Architect of the Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. Ayers,
We are writing to express our concern about the ongoing operating losses in the Senate Restaurants.
We noted that the Senate Restaurants nearly doubled their deficit between fiscal years 2005 and 2006. In addition, internal Restaurant financials show a year-to-date net operating loss of nearly $900,000 – 23.2 percent more than at this time last year.
In fact, the Senate Restaurants operating budget for fiscal year 2007 projects an operating loss of $1.3 million. Please provide us with information regarding efforts to achieve a balanced budget for the current year.
We urge you, and the Senate Restaurants, to thoroughly examine your internal budget, managerial practices, planning and control processes, inventory and present the Senate Rules and Administration Committee with a plan that addresses this troubling situation. We are also interested in seeing a proposal for a balanced budget that excludes appropriated dollars.
Sincerely,
Dianne Feinstein
Chairman
Robert Bennett
Ranking Member
Following is the text of Senators Feinstein and Bennett’s letter sent yesterday to GAO Comptroller General David M. Walker:
David M. Walker
Comptroller General
Government Accountability Office
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Walker,
We are writing to request that Government Accountability Office (GAO) update its 2002 review of the Senate Restaurants Management and Operations.
We were deeply concerned that the GAO’s March 13, 2007 audit of the financial statements of the U.S. Senate Restaurant Revolving Fund reported that the Fund’s net income dropped by 200 %, a net loss increase of $338,000 between fiscal years 2005 and 2006.
Unfortunately, the Senate Restaurants operating budget for fiscal year 2007 projects an operating loss of $1.3 million, and internal Restaurant financials show a year-to-date net operating loss of nearly $900,000 – 23.2 percent more than at this time last year.
As the Committee continues its oversight responsibilities regarding the Senate Restaurants, it is necessary to have the most up-to-date data available. We are asking that you update the review of the Senate Restaurants. It would be helpful to have an analysis of the financial condition of the Fund, operational constraints, services and food quality, and staffing. Finally, we would appreciate specific recommendations for improving the long-term financial health of the Senate restaurants.
Sincerely,
Dianne Feinstein
Chairman
Robert Bennett
Ranking Member
The following is the text of Senators Feinstein and Bennett’s letters. First is their letter sent yesterday to Acting Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers:
March 21, 2007
The Honorable Stephen Ayers
Acting Architect of the Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. Ayers,
We are writing to express our concern about the ongoing operating losses in the Senate Restaurants.
We noted that the Senate Restaurants nearly doubled their deficit between fiscal years 2005 and 2006. In addition, internal Restaurant financials show a year-to-date net operating loss of nearly $900,000 – 23.2 percent more than at this time last year.
In fact, the Senate Restaurants operating budget for fiscal year 2007 projects an operating loss of $1.3 million. Please provide us with information regarding efforts to achieve a balanced budget for the current year.
We urge you, and the Senate Restaurants, to thoroughly examine your internal budget, managerial practices, planning and control processes, inventory and present the Senate Rules and Administration Committee with a plan that addresses this troubling situation. We are also interested in seeing a proposal for a balanced budget that excludes appropriated dollars.
Sincerely,
Dianne Feinstein
Chairman
Robert Bennett
Ranking Member
Following is the text of Senators Feinstein and Bennett’s letter sent yesterday to GAO Comptroller General David M. Walker:
March 21, 2007
David M. Walker
Comptroller General
Government Accountability Office
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Walker,
We are writing to request that Government Accountability Office (GAO) update its 2002 review of the Senate Restaurants Management and Operations.
We were deeply concerned that the GAO’s March 13, 2007 audit of the financial statements of the U.S. Senate Restaurant Revolving Fund reported that the Fund’s net income dropped by 200 %, a net loss increase of $338,000 between fiscal years 2005 and 2006.
Unfortunately, the Senate Restaurants operating budget for fiscal year 2007 projects an operating loss of $1.3 million, and internal Restaurant financials show a year-to-date net operating loss of nearly $900,000 – 23.2 percent more than at this time last year.
As the Committee continues its oversight responsibilities regarding the Senate Restaurants, it is necessary to have the most up-to-date data available. We are asking that you update the review of the Senate Restaurants. It would be helpful to have an analysis of the financial condition of the Fund, operational constraints, services and food quality, and staffing. Finally, we would appreciate specific recommendations for improving the long-term financial health of the Senate restaurants.
Sincerely,
Dianne Feinstein
Chairman
Robert Bennett
Ranking Member
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