(Image Source: New York Times)
BY ALLIE SPILLYARDS
Rumors are circulating on the hill.
A debt deal could finally be emerging- but the details are still pretty hush-hush.
But there’s nothing secret about the “super congress” that’s set to be part of the package.
The Huffington Post explains.
“This ‘Super Congress’ ... [would be a] 12-member panel made up of 12 lawmakers -- six from each chamber and six from each party. Legislation approved by the Super Congress ... would then be fast-tracked through both chambers, where it couldn't be amended by simple, regular lawmakers, who'd have the ability only to cast an up or down vote.”
The joint committee was originally proposed as part of the Reid plan -- voted down in the House. Now-- it’s back with more power than before.
“A bi-partisan super congressional committee would have to determine the additional cuts by Thanksgiving of this year. Or if they could not agree or Congress doesn’t act on their recommendations, there’d be automatic cuts to defense spending and entitlements”
The plans are backed by more than a few Republicans. But a writer for Gather suggests- it’s a little curious.
“One has to pause and think about this proposal for a non-constitution sanctioned governmental group being proposed by the party that has run on the campaign of less government and started the 2011 Congressional Session by reciting the entire U.S. Constitution while vowing to follow it word-for-word.”
And while it’s too soon to call it a done deal-- politicos are growing more confident lawmakers will settle their differences and play nice to avoid a possible financial meltdown.
"No one has signed off on a final agreement so it’s premature to talk about any specifics. The most important thing this morning is, if there's a word that would right here that would sum up the mood, it would be relief. Relief that we won’t default. That’s not a certainty but default is far less of a possibility now than it was a day ago."
