Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) introduced a new program to solicit ideas directly from the taxpayers on his top priorities in the 112th Congress: job creation and cutting the debt.

“I spend most of my time talking directly to the taxpayers in my district, and one thing is certain: the constituents of the 28th District of Texas can generate innovative ideas to boost job creation and reduce the national deficit,” Congressman Cuellar said. “My teleconferences with small business owners and educators earlier this year demonstrated that the American people have many creative solutions to our national problems. I believe in direct communication and listening to the taxpayers about what they want, instead of telling them what they will get from the government.”

To help speed the review process of the thousands of new ideas, Congressman Cuellar created two new e-mail accounts: jobs.creation.cuellar@mail.house.gov and reduce.debt.cuellar@mail.house.gov Congressman Cuellar will actively promote and publicize the new program and will work to get the best ideas on his legislative agenda.

“Washington insiders have their voice heard every day,” Congressman Cuellar said. “I am going to make sure that the voice of the taxpayer is heard as well. Small business owners and heads of households have plenty of experience balancing a budget and prioritizing. I am confident that we are going to get recommendations and suggestions that I can promote in the House.”

A strong pro-business Member of Congress, Congressman Cuellar also helped pass the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act to establish a new community bank fund worth $30 billion to increase lending to small businesses looking to hire and expand their operations.
Congressman Cuellar has also successfully implemented budget cutting initiatives such as performance-based budgeting, pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) and other government reform efforts to reduce spending and increase accountability for federal agencies.