Reflecting the wishes of Americans fed up with reckless government spending, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) today voted to sell excess government property saving taxpayers up to $15 billion. The measure was the result of Americans reaching out to Congress through the YouCut website that turns cost-cutting suggestions into legislation.

“Americans are speaking out and using YouCut to send a message to Washington that the days of reckless spending must end,” Luetkemeyer said. “We are the people’s elected representatives and I am proud to vote on their behalf to sell excess federal property and save taxpayers $15 billion.”

Specifically, today’s YouCut proposal introduced on the House floor seeks to sell excess federal property that has the potential to save American taxpayers up to $15 billion. The Office of Management and Budget estimated in 2007 that the federal government had property valued at $18 billion that it does not need.  Instead of selling excess property, federal law requires that the property first be offered to other government agencies, state and local governments and non-profits, usually at no cost. Today’s YouCut proposal amends federal law to require an expedited process to sell excess federal property with 80 percent of the proceeds of the sale going to reduce the deficit.

On the YouCut website each week, Americans have the opportunity to vote on a spending cut and shortly after all the ideas are processed, Luetkemeyer and his colleagues will seek a vote on the most popular spending cut. Luetkemeyer is encouraging folks to visit http://republicanwhip.house.gov/YouCut/and help Washington get government spending under control.

###