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This week, during the “YouCut” program sponsored by House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green)  submitted a spending cut proposal that would reduce funding for the Wild Horse and Burro Program and would save taxpayers approximately $280 million over ten years. 

Since 1971 the Department of Interior has managed a program to maintain and support the wild horse and burro population that roams federal lands. This program received $64 million in funding this year, an increase of 77% compared to the 2008 level. Various administrations have struggled to achieve a sustainable population of wild horses and burros.   The long-term budgetary need to reduce the program has been unclear for the Bureau of Land Management to manage the program.  While legislative and administrative action may also be necessary, by reducing spending to fiscal year 2008 levels, this cut would achieve savings of $28 million this year alone for taxpayers.

Congressman Latta is encouraging his constituents to participate in the YouCut program by visiting http://republicanwhip.house.gov/YouCut/ or texting “YOUCUT5” to 68398.  If Congressman Latta’s spending cut proposal receives the highest number of votes this week, it will be brought to the House floor later this week for vote. 

Since May, over 1.9 million votes have been cast and House Republicans have offered more than $155 billion in spending cuts through the YouCut project.  Congressman Latta’s statement on the launch of YouCut can be found here.