Super Congress
The term “Super Congress” was introduced on July 24, 2011, and became part of the deal to increase the debt ceiling. A special committee or “Super Congress” of 13 persons (elected representatives, plus the president) presents proposals to cut the budget deficit. The Congress then votes “yes” or “no” on the proposals (which are not subject to amendment).
Many commentators have suggested that a “Super Congress” is unconstitutional and limits the powers of the members of Congress.
Newsmax.com
‘Super Congress’ Idea Floated to Solve Debt Crisis
Sunday, 24 Jul 2011 11:34 AM
By Newsmax Wires
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his Republican counterpart, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell reportedly are working on an idea to create a new bipartisan committee to break the debt-ceiling deadlock.
Such a committee, which some label a “Super Congress” and staffers on Capitol Hill are calling a “super committee,” reportedly would have special powers not present in the Constitution now, according to the Daily Mail in London.
The body, which some bloggers are blasting as patently illegal, would be a 12-member bipartisan panel with six members from each party. It would settle on an agreement to fast-track through the Senate and the House, where members would not be allowed to debate the plan, just vote for or against it.
Boston (MA) Globe
Is a “Super Congress” required to raise the debt ceiling?
Posted by Garrett Quinn, Less is More
July 24, 2011 03:57 PM
There are joint committees and there are joint sessions of Congress but there isn’t a “Super Congress”, well, at least not yet. Multiple news organizations are reporting that the creation of a “Super Congress” or “super committee” is being considered as a way to go around the current legislative impasse.
Huffington Post
R.W. Sanders
Retired writer and musician
The Super Congress We Did Not Elect
Posted: 8/2/11 04:01 PM ET
Perhaps I was asleep, or have amnesia, or maybe I was abducted by aliens, but I don’t remember ever having elected a Super Congress. However, apparently there will be a committee of twelve that will effectively run our country. That is, if Congress votes for the debt crisis solution posed by Obama and his fellow republicans.
The Intel Hub
Super Congress: The Final Nail In The Coffin Of Representative Democracy And Freedom As We Know It
By Madison Ruppert
Editor of End the Lie And Intel Hub Contributing Writer
August 2, 2011
Cloaked in the fear surrounding the debt ceiling and a possible default is the most dangerous legislation that America has ever faced. If this passes (IT PASSED), the Super Congress will make the PATRIOT Act look like a just and fair law.
When six Republicans, six Democrats and the President have complete control over the legislature, we need to be concerned.
Infowars.com
Ron Paul Sounds Alarm on “Disturbing” Super Congress
Congressman warns new all-powerful committee will ram through tax hikes
Paul Joseph Watson
Infowars.com
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Congressman Ron Paul warns that the all-powerful new “Super Congress” created by the vote on the debt ceiling will be used to fast-track tax increases while concentrating more power over the nation’s purse strings in the hands of the Washington elite.
(...)
The Congressman added that the committee represents “Nothing more than a way to disenfranchise the majority of Congress by denying them the chance for meaningful participation in the crucial areas of entitlement and tax reform. It cedes power to draft legislation to a special commission, hand-picked by the House and Senate leadership.”