In 2003, as part of a Republican protest against France's opposition to the war on Iraq, both french fries and french toast were officially renamed "freedom fries" and "freedom toast" in the U.S. House of Representatives' cafeteria. Republican representative Bob Ney, whose committee recommended the name changes, said the action was "a small but symbolic effort to show the strong displeasure of many on Capital Hill with the actions of our so-called ally, France." Democrat Jose Serrano, from New York, described the move as "petty grandstanding" and asked, "Should we ban French wine, Belgian waffles, or Russian dressing? If Mexico votes no, should Mexican restaurants also be banned?"