Obama to propose deficit panel this week

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Tuesday said President Obama will issue an executive order this week to create a commission to make recommendations to Congress on how to lower the deficit.

"It will be this week," Gibbs said at his daily briefing. The commission was part of a plan hatched by Democratic leaders and the White House to win the support of about 14 fiscally conservative Democrats for a $1.9 trillion increase in the debt ceiling, which Congress passed this month. Democratic leaders have pledged to hold a vote on the panel's recommendations, with the Senate moving first.

The panel's proposals are expected to be submitted to Congress after the November election, so Congress can act on them before the end of the year, panel supporters have said. The Obama commission is expected to have 18 members, including six lawmakers appointed by congressional Democrats and six lawmakers appointed by congressional Republicans.

Obama would appoint six others, only four of whom could be Democrats. Fourteen commission members would have to agree on any deficit-reduction plan. The White House has been trying to reach out to Republicans on the issue, but they have been critical of the presidential panel, and it is unclear if they will participate.