Also commonly known as the "Super Committee," the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction is co-chaired by Republican Representative Jeb Hensarling of Texas and Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington. Created on August 2nd by the Budget Control Act of 2011, the committee consists of six Democrats and six Republicans, each party represented by three members from the Senate and three members from the House.

The purpose of the Super Committee is to come up with feasible solutions to reduce the country's $15 billion deficit by $1.5 trillion over a span of ten years.