Panel unveils deficit commission bill

Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate Budget Committee unveiled legislation on Wednesday that would establish an 18-member bipartisan commission to make recommendations to Congress on how to cut the deficit.

The House and Senate would take up the commission's proposals, which could not be amended, on an expedited basis. Passing any of the commission's recommendations would require a three-fifths vote in each body. The vote would occur before Congress adjourns at the end of next year, but after the 2010 congressional elections.

Of the 18 panel members, 10 would be Democrats, including two from the administration, and eight would be Republicans. To encourage bipartisan support for the recommendations, 14 of the 18 members must agree to them. The measure has 27 cosponsors, including 12 Democrats and 15 Republicans.

Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad and other Democrats are negotiating with Senate Democratic leaders to attach the bill to the legislation needed to increase the debt limit. "Those discussions have not reached a conclusion," Conrad said, adding that the group intends to continue to push for the commission.