Today marks the deadline for Congressional standing committees to submit recommendations for spending cuts or revenue increases to the Super Committee (officially known as the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction).  The clock is ticking as the Super Committee races (often behind closed doors) to meet its November 23rd deadline to report out a bill with at least $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction over the next ten years. 

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi submitted recommendations for revenue increases and savings from 16 ranking committee members.  In submitting the list of recommendations, she wrote:

“All areas of the budget should be subject to consideration in developing a balanced approach to deficit reduction, and a fair and substantial revenue component is both essential and overwhelmingly supported by the American people on a bipartisan basis.  Working together, I am confident we can find a basis for a big, bold, and balanced solution that ensures that America remains Number One in the world.”

House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Henry Waxman and House Ways and Means Ranking Member Sander Levin both pointed out that the Affordable Care Act would produce health care savings and should not be tampered with until it has had time to work.  They also urged the committee to refrain from tactics that would simply shift costs to states, providers, individuals and families.