CAPITOL CAFETERIA WORKER FIRED AFTER GOP CONGRESSMAN GOT SANDWICH GRILLED INSTEAD OF TOASTED

BETSY ROTHSTEIN, THE HILL - House Administration Committee Chairman Robert Brady (D-Pa.) is fuming after a cafeteria worker in the Capitol lost his job days after Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) left the establishment in a huff because his sandwich was grilled, not toasted.

Kennison Battle, better known as "Mohammed," was fired this week following the Souder incident. However, it is unclear if Battle's termination and Souder's stormy exit last week are related.

Regardless, Brady - who has jurisdiction over Capitol Hill campus issues - has been trying to get Battle his old job back. . .

Brady spoke with Nicole Hall, the cafe manager, who told him she didn't want to fire Battle, but was forced to. "She was upset she had to fire him," Brady said. When Brady asked to speak with David Anderson - Hall's superior - Anderson declined to discuss the matter. . .

The Hill reported on the Souder cafe incident on Tuesday. Earlier this week, Souder spokesman Martin Green stated in an e-mail: "Mr. Souder was asked for - and gave - his order three times. After around 20 minutes, he was still waiting, so he canceled the order and walked out so as to get to his next meeting on time. Despite the poor service, he decided not to file a complaint.". . .

A Capitol employee who frequents the café said she knew Battle. "I was sorry to hear it," she said of his firing. "He's so nice, always nice, always friendly. But it is not uncommon for members to be rude."

Hall, the cafe manager, then halted the conversation: "No talking to reporters! No talking to reporters, please!"