To franchisers, the spectacle of a whole bunch of staffers converging to seize packing containers of free Taco Bell can also be a fun strategy to cap off a protracted day of conferences. Earlier on Tuesday, they met for a briefing from freshman Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Col., then break up off to meet their native legislators. The Taco Bell lobbyists who organized the occasion would not discuss to media, however the franchisees who they introduced along to assist press their case had been completely satisfied to talk. "It’s been occurring for fairly a couple of years now, it is infamous. Everybody looks forward to it from 12 months to year. It’s a free for all," stated Joye Smith, a franchisee from Northern California. "This is how we want to say thanks for all that you just do for us," she added, noting that some congressional staffers convey containers right down to haul more tacos back to the workplace. "We love our food and we’re glad to see our staffers love the food as properly," stated Rich Lepping, a Madison, Wiconsin-area franchise store owner.

Wednesday's House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on the Keystone XL pipeline can be a showdown over the politics behind the Keystone XL oil pipeline. Schedule: The Energy and Commerce Committee hearing is Wednesday, Jan. 25, at eight a.m. 2123 Rayburn House Office Building. Witnesses: Kerri-Ann Jones, assistant secretary of state for oceans and worldwide environmental and scientific affairs and the purpose particular person on the department on the undertaking