What do top members of the House of Representatives do with their offices’ taxpayer-funded expense accounts? Well, in the case of Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), it means burritos. Lots and lots of burritos (and maybe a burrito bowl or two).

McCarthy, WUSA9 reports, spent $2,500 at Qdoba in one day last year. Congressional leaders spend handsomely on catering, including major splurges at Taylor Gourmet, PF Changs, Buca di Beppo. Whole Foods, and Dunkin’ Donuts, among other places. And McCarthy, despite his one-day fast-casual Mexican extravaganza, didn’t even top the chart of catering expenses over the final three months of 2012. That distinction went to House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), who racked up an $11,225 tab, including $2,200 on coffee in November. [Editor’s note: That is close to the monthly expenditure on coffee for the average employee of Gothamist LLC, though our caffeine habits are not financed by the American taxpayer.]

At a time in which the federal government is being forced to scale back its spending in all areas, congressional offices told WUSA9 there are many reasons why they still spend big on snacktime:

Congressional office managers have several reasons for the water expenses.

One explained that staffers like to offer bottles of water to guests during meetings. Another cited concerns about lead in the water supply on Capitol Hill.

“We do have water fountains right?” asked high school economics teacher Ken Benson.

“The office provides food and beverages at large breakfast and lunch meetings,” said Hoyer spokeswoman Stephanie L. Young. “As is common practice among leadership offices.”

OK, common courtesies must be extended. But there are vending machines in the basements of the House and Senate office buildings, and with congressional offices required to slash their budgets by eight percent, maybe they should cut out the catering and just send an unpaid intern downstairs to get some bags of chips and cans of soda.