Definition of Super Committee

What is the "super committee"? What is the definition of the term "super committee"?

The term "super committee" refers to the Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction that was formed as a result of the Budget Control Act of 2011.

The "super committee" consists of six Republicans and six Democrats. Of the 12 members of the "super committee", six are from the Senate and six are from the House. Here is a breakdown:

Republicans

(Senate)

Jon Kyl
Rob Portman
Pat Toomey

(House)

Jeb Hensarling
Fred Upton
Dave Camp

Democrats

(Senate)

Patty Murray
Max Baucus
John Kerry

(House)

Xavier Becerra
Jim Clyburn
Chris Van Hollen

Jeb Hensarling and Patty Murray are the two co-chairs of the committee.

The purpose of the committee? To issue a recommendation that would cut at least $1.5 trillion off of the federal deficit over the next ten years. This can be accomplished through spending cuts, revenue increases or a mix of both.

The committee has until November 23rd, 2011 to come to an agreement, or else automatic spending cuts of $1.2 trillion will be enacted, to be split between national security and domestic arenas.

Can the committee reach an agreement? Given the highly partisan debt ceiling debacle that the country just lived through, don't get your hopes up.

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