Republicans named six members on Wednesday to a U.S. congressional deficit-reduction super committee that was set up to seek bipartisan agreement on taxes and government spending. The panel is known as the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction and was established to find $1.5 trillion in additional budget savings over 10 years, but markets have been looking for signs that it may be able to do even more, Reuters reported. Senators Jon Kyl, Rob Portman and Patrick Toomey were selected by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell for inclusion on the high-profile 12-member panel. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, the top Republican in Congress, appointed Representatives Dave Camp, Jeb Hensarling and Fred Upton. Like a trio of Senate Democrats named to the panel on Tuesday, the six Republicans are a diverse group, ranging from Toomey, a favorite of the conservative Tea Party movement, to Portman, a budget expert. Expectations for a fiscal policy breakthrough by the panel were on the rise as markets whipsawed through the week following a historic downgrade of U.S. debt and a deal to raise the U.S. debt ceiling that only postponed tough decisions. "All three of these nominees understand the gravity of our situation and all three will bring the kind of responsibility, creativity and thoughtfulness that the moment requires," said McConnell in a statement. Senate Democrats were first out of the gate on Tuesday with their appointments to the panel. They were Senators Max Baucus, John Kerry and Patty Murray, a trio that analysts said sent a mixed message about the panel's potential. The three remaining slots are to be filled by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi by Tuesday. -- SPA
