The super Congress, officially titled "The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction," consists of 12 lawmakers, six from each party and each chamber, who have been given nearly unprecedented power to cut projected deficits by $1.5 trillion over 10 years. The committee will need only seven votes to pass its proposal. The rest of Congress will not have the power to amend their plan, obstruct it from coming to a vote, or even filibuster it in the Senate – they will only be able to vote it up or down.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV) named Sens. Max Baucus (MT), John Kerry (MA) and Patty Murray (WA) to the committee. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) tapped Sens. Jon Kyl (AZ), Pat Toomey (PA) and Rob Portman (OH), while Speaker of the Hose John Boehner (OH) chose Reps. Jeb Hensarling (TX), Dave Camp (MI) and Fred Upton (MI). House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi chose Rep. Jim Clyburn (SC), who is the assistant party leader; Rep. Xavier Becerra (CA), vice chair of the Democratic Caucus; and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD). Murray and Hensarling will serve as co-chairs of the committee.

The decisions to cut $1.5 trillion will include many industries and programs. It is possible that the super committee could include a spectrum auction of sorts. NAB will closely monitor the actions of the super committee to ensure our industry is protected. The super committee will begin to make these decisions between September and November with the plan outline to be completed by November 23.