Payment for Food Provided to Agents Under Emergency Conditions

A decision was requested concerning payment for food provided to agents under certain emergency conditions. The cost of providing food to agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms who were investigating a bombing of agency offices and could not leave their posts was not reimbursable due to the general rule that, in the absence of authorizing legislation, the cost of meals furnished to Government employees may not be paid with appropriated funds.