Spending is out-of-control in Washington and our mounting debt threatens our future prosperity. I believe we must take every opportunity to cut federal spending and get our fiscal house in order.YouCut is a grassroots program that allows the American people to go online and vote on which government program they believe should be cut. Each week, one YouCut submission is chosen and put to a vote on the House floor. Thus far, the total amount of savings offered through eleven YouCut proposals is more than $150 billion. 

This week’s top vote getter would reduce federal government employment to pre-stimulus levels by requiring the government to hire only one new worker for every two who leave service, except for the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs. Since President Obama took office, the size and scope of the federal government has dramatically increased. The so-called ‘stimulus’ has failed to spur long-term job creation in the private sector, but it certainly stimulated the federal government. While the national unemployment rate hovers near ten percent, the federal government has grown by approximately 188,000 new employees.   

This is yet another example of the Obama Administration ignoring policies that would create long-term private sector job growth in favor of big government. Unfortunately, House Democrats still aren’t listening to the American people’s call for fiscal responsibility. They rejected this effort that would have saved taxpayers up to $35 billion over the next ten years. Despite their stubborn refusal to trim the federal government, I and my fellow Republican lawmakers will continue to bring opportunities to cut spending to the House Floor. I hope that Congress will do right by America and start addressing our massive debt before future generations suffer.