>Our national debt is simply unsustainable. We have reached a point where our current debt and deficit levels are hurting our economy and the prospects for job creation and future economic growth.
It is almost unheard of for Congress to consider bills to actually eliminate wasteful programs or reduce unnecessary spending. That’s why we are launching YouCut, a first of its kind project designed to reverse the culture of spending in Washington to a culture of savings.
The YouCut project is designed to challenge Congress’s culture of spending. It is a first of its kind effort designed to engage the public in refocusing Congress’s priorities. With a deficit near $1.5 trillion, we don’t think it is too much to ask of Congress to spend some time debating bills to actually reduce spending.
How it Works: The project revolves around a very simple two step process:
1. Each week, the House Economic Recovery Working Group will post online (at https://republicanwhip.house.gov/YouCut )a list of five proposals to reduce wasteful or unnecessary spending. The public will have a chance to vote online or on their cell phones on the proposal they would most like to see Congress take up the next week. (You Vote)
2. And the next week House Republicans will force the House to vote on whether or not to take up and debate the bill. (We Cut)
Each week relevant floor speeches, bill summaries, and vote tallies will be posted online for the public to review. The American people will also have an opportunity to recommend their proposals to reduce wasteful spending. Each and every day, families in New Jersey have been forced to make tough decisions on a daily basis—cutting back on things they realize they can no longer afford. Why should the federal government act any differently?
Rep. Scott Garrett
