Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) encouraged his constituents to participate in a new initiative unveiled today to cut wasteful Washington spending.  The initiative, YouCut, was launched today by the House Republican Economic Recovery Working Group, of which Paulsen is a member, and is a first-of-its kind interactive initiative designed to change the culture of runaway spending in Washington.  

“The runaway spending in Washington is a recipe for fiscal disaster and will place unbearable burdens on our children and grandchildren,” Paulsen said.  “Too often, Congress only pays lip service to reducing spending without taking any meaningful action.  This new initiative will allow constituents to play a direct role in identifying wasteful spending they would like to see eliminated.  Families are making tough choices to live within their means every day and the federal government should be no different.”

YouCut will work through a simple two-step process.  First, each week the House Economic Recovery Solutions Group will post online 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. Second, the very next week House Republicans will force the House to vote on whether or not to take up and debate the bill.

Paulsen also announced the launch of a YouCut page on his Congressional website, where 3rd District residents can easily access more information on the program and vote each week.  The link is available by visiting Paulsen.house.gov and clicking on the YouCut button on the front page.