Pelosi adds her picks to deficit reduction committee

Aug 12 2011

With House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi's selections now made for the 'super committee,' the panel is complete. The next step: analyzing what positions they will bring to the negotiations and what the likelihood is that the group will strike a deal.

The New York Times: Pelosi Appoints 3 On Her Team To Complete The Deficit-Reduction Committee
The House Democratic leader, Nancy Pelosi, rounded out the membership of a powerful new deficit-reduction panel on Thursday by appointing three of her top lieutenants who have led opposition to cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. The new appointees are Representatives Xavier Becerra of California, the vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus; James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, the assistant House Democratic leader; and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, the senior Democrat on the Budget Committee (Pear and Steinhauer, 8/11).

The Washington Post: Nancy Pelosi Names Her Picks To 'Super Committee,' Completing 12-Member Debt Panel
Pelosi reiterated her call for Congress to consider "the grand bargain" of major entitlement cuts matched with increased taxes. "We must achieve a 'grand bargain' that reduces the deficit by addressing our entire budget, while strengthening Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Our entire Caucus will work closely with these three appointees toward this goal, which is the goal of the American people," Pelosi said. "Because the work of this committee will affect all Americans, I called last week for its deliberations to be transparent; the committee should conduct its proceedings in the open" (Kane and Sonmez, 8/11).

Los Angeles Times: Deficit 'Super Committee' Reflects Party Leadership
There are no members on the panel who championed the various deficit reduction efforts that took place outside of the leadership's auspices — no senators from the Gang of Six, for example. None stand out as political mavericks. The resulting committee is less a band of brothers willing to strike a deal on deficit reduction and more an extension of the leadership foursome who will decide whether there is a deal to be struck (Mascaro, 8/11).

McClatchy: Deficit 'Super' Panelists Not Known For Compromise
With the final three lawmakers named Thursday to a 12-member "super" committee that's tasked with trying to cut the federal deficit by more than $1 trillion by year's end, the budget battle on Capitol Hill begins anew. … All six Republicans have signed a pledge written by Grover Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform, not to raise taxes. All six Democrats on the super committee are staunch defenders of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and say that tax revenues have to be part of the deficit-reduction conversation (Douglas and Lippman, 8/11).

CQ Health Beat: Ryan's Absence On Joint Deficit Committee Could Impact Entitlement Debate
One person who will not be on the joint deficit reduction panel is House Budget Committee Chairman Paul D. Ryan . And that, analysts say, could mean health entitlements will get a moderate treatment. Several health policy analysts said the overriding obstacle to a committee agreement remains revenue. Without a breakthrough on that front, the same dynamic that doomed the summer long negotiations is likely to repeat itself - Democrats won't make big concessions on Medicare and Medicaid unless Republicans give in some on taxes (Kenan, 8/11).

The Associated Press/Washington Post: AP Analysis: Special Interests Gave $3 Million To Members Of New Budget Supercommittee
The newly appointed members — six Democrats and six Republicans — have received more than $3 million total during the past five years in donations from political committees with ties to defense contractors, health care providers and labor unions. That money went to their re-election campaigns, according to AP's review (8/11).

The Fiscal Times: How the Super Committee Is Likely To Vote
Here is where members of the new joint House-Senate deficit reduction: Sen. Patty Murray D-Wash.: ... Supported "Doc Fix" to prevent cuts in Medicare physician payment cuts. ... Voted for an amendment to extend federal Medicaid match money to the states. ... Rep.. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas ... Cosponsored Rep. Paul Ryan's Roadmap for America's Future Act, which called for a broad reforms and cuts to Medicare and Medicaid (Ross and Hirsch, 8/11).

Kaiser Health News: Health On The Hill: 'Super Committee': Recipe For Gridlock Or Potential For Consensus?
Kaiser Health News' Mary Agnes Carey and Politico Pro's David Nather talk to Jackie Judd about the now complete "super committee" and what it may mean for Medicare and Medicaid (8/11).