Washington going through ‘pizza boom’

If anything could be gathered from the debt ceiling debates at the Capitol, it is this: in times of crisis, politicians need their pizza.

Foodie Jason Feirman, who writes the blog IDreamofPizza.com, says, “Over the past couple of years, Washington D.C., has been experiencing a pizza boom.”

Pizza was the surprise guest at the debt-limit negotiating table of several lawmakers last week. Reporters observed some pies from Papa John’s and Al’s Gourmet Pizza being rolled into the offices of House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) last Thursday evening.

Some members of Congress certainly know good pizza when they bite into it. One congressman who went into the McCarthy’s office for some arm-twisting was Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-Ill.), who actually owns a pizza joint, Saint Giuseppe’s Heavenly Pizza, back in Illinois. While the Boehner bill apparently wasn’t entirely to Schilling’s taste, there was no word on what he thought of the pizza.

In case the pies in McCarthy and Boehner’s offices didn’t quite hit the spot, Senate Republicans fed their seemingly insatiable appetite for the saucy, cheese-covered meal at a pizza lunch the next day (which Boehner also attended).

A director at Papa John’s told CNN, “We've been shipping tons and tons of pizza up to the hill.”

Feirman, a D.C. area native, understands the appeal of pizza to Washington’s power players.

“As more and more high quality pizza places are opening up in the area, it’s no surprise that this universal food has worked its way into the political sphere. It can be eaten hot or cold, at any time of day. And it won’t break the bank either, Feirman said. “Who knows – maybe the ‘thin crust’ versus ‘deep dish’ debate even crosses party lines.”