Politics & Government

Van Hollen Appointed to Deficit Reduction Committee

The panel is charged with developing a plan to cut $1.5 trillion from the federal deficit.

U.S. Rep. Christopher Van Hollen Jr. will be one of 12 lawmakers on a congressional panel formed in the wake of the recent debt debate and charged with identifying up to $1.5 trillion in federal deficit reductions.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on Thursday chose Van Hollen (D-Dist. 8) of Kensington to serve on the panel of six Democrats and six Republicans known as the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.

“Putting America back to work is the best and most immediate way to reduce our deficit as we also develop and implement a balanced plan to establish long-term fiscal discipline and sustained economic growth,” Van Hollen, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, said in a statement. “Our plan should put jobs first, sharpen America's competitive edge, ensure health and retirement security, and require shared responsibility from those who have done so well even during these tough economic times. Together, we can build a prosperous and secure future for all Americans.”

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The committee, formed as part of an agreement that ended the recent debt debate, will work to identify $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion in deficit cuts to present to Congress by Nov. 23. The Baltimore Sun’s Maryland Politics blog rounds up comments from congressional leaders and has a complete list of committee members.

The appointment is the latest high-profile position for Van Hollen, who appeared frequently on cable news talk shows during the debt debate.

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He previously served as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, leading the effort to reelect Democrats to Congress during the 2008 and 2010 election cycles.

On Tuesday, Politico reported on Van Hollen’s rising profile among Democrats.


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