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Pelosi's 3 'Super' Picks: Becerra, Clyburn, Van Hollen

Panel charged with finding $1.5T in cuts is now complete

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 11, 2011 12:02 PM CDT

(Newser) – The "super committee" is complete: Nancy Pelosi filled in the final three positions of the 12-member panel today by picking James Clyburn of South Carolina, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, and Xavier Becerra of California, reports the Hill. Clyburn and Becerra are the top-ranking African-American and Latino lawmakers in Congress and they hold top spots on Pelosi's leadership team, notes the Washington Post. Van Hollen is the top Democrat on the House budget panel.

No word yet on when the super committee will sit down for its first meeting to begin the quest for $1.5 trillion in budget cuts. “We must achieve a ‘grand bargain’ that reduces the deficit by addressing our entire budget, while strengthening Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security," said Pelosi in announcing the picks. She also called for the meetings to be open. Click to read one view on why that's a bad idea, or to see the six GOP picks or the other three Democratic picks.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks to reporters July 15, 2011. Listening from the back is Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

House Ways and Means Committee member Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)

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Pelosi's 3 'Super' Picks: Becerra, Clyburn, Van Hollen

Panel charged with finding $1.5T in cuts is now complete

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Nancy Pelosi • Congress • James Clyburn • Chris Van Hollen • Xavier Becerra • super committee • Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction

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