Western Center is monitoring and weighing in with the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (also referred to as the "Supercommittee"). Final members of the Members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction have been set.  They are: 

Senate Democrats Patty Murray (WA), Max Baucus (MT), and John Kerry (MA).  Senate Republicans Jon Kyl (AZ); Pat Toomey (PA), and Rob Portman (OH). House Democrats James Clyburn (SC), Chris Van Hollen (MD) and Xavier Becerra (CA). House Republicans Jeb Hensarling (TX); Fred Upton (MI), and Dave Camp (MI).

The budget law that established the Joint Select Committee set deadlines for Committee development of a plan (November 23rd) and congressional enactment of the plan (December 23rd) or directs that automatic sequestration be invoked. According to the new budget law, the first meeting of the Joint Select Committee must happen by September 16th and congressional committees have until October 14th to make recommendations. Entitlement programs serving low-income individuals and families are exempt from cuts under sequestration but non-entitlement programs, like WIC and Housing vouchers are not, and all programs are at great risk during the Select Joint Committee planning, especially if no revenues are reinstated or levied.

Below are some links to help you understand more about the process. To stay abreast of Select Committee updates, follow us on Twitter at Western_Center and sign up for updates from the Health and Human Services Network at www.hhsnetworkca.org.