Four weeks ago, Congressional Republicans lead by Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia, started an online campaign to cut down federal government spending. The “YouCut” offer citizens the chance to vote online every week for one program to cut from the budget. When the votes are tallied, the winning selection is brought to the floor of the House to be voted up or down.
Last week’s choice was to sell of excess federal property for potential savings of up to $15 billion per year. Like the three previous weeks, the vote was defeated, but the White House appears to be paying attention. President Obama has now issued an executive order that all executive department and agencies identify excess lands that could be sold off in order to save the government money. Obama’s proposal is only on the order of $3 billion in savings whereas the YouCut proposal included streamlining the (onerous) sale process for even greater savings. Also, a presidential executive order does not override current law. But Cantor at least is pleased with the attention. “We are encouraged by the Obama administration’s support and hope that the President encourages House Democrats to vote for the proposal both on [YouCut] and on the House floor should it receive the most votes.”
Little steps for little feet. The fact that any Democrat is talking about cutting government spending is a sign of progress.