GOP announces debt panel picks

Republicans Friday named their six appointees to a presidential panel that will make recommendations to Congress on how to reduce the deficit.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., named Senate Budget Committee ranking member Judd Gregg, R-N.H., Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, a member of the Budget Committee, and fiscal hawk Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla.

House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, named Ways and Means ranking member Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., Budget Committee ranking member Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., and Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, who also serves on the Budget Committee.

McConnell has been under Democratic fire ever since he voted in January against a plan to have Congress create a similar panel that he previously supported. Congress then agreed to a deal in February under which President Obama created a panel by executive order, with congressional leaders naming its members.

On the Democratic side, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., appointed Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Senate Finance Chairman Committee Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., to the panel.

Once House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., fills the three remaining slots, the panel will have all 18 members as outlined by the deal.

Obama named Erskine Bowles, a former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton, and former Sen. Alan Simpson, R-Wyo., as co-chairmen. His appointees also include Honeywell International CEO David Cote, a Republican; former CBO Director Alice Rivlin, a Democrat; Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern; and Anne Fudge, who served as chairwoman and CEO of Young & Rubicam Brands from 2003-06.

Pelosi and Reid have pledged to take up the panel's recommendations before the end of the year and have lawmakers cast an up-or-down vote.