Boehner, McConnell pick members to serve on 'supercommittee'

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Wednesday announced their picks to serve on the House-Senate "supercommittee" tasked with finding more spending cuts by the end of the year.

Boehner announced that he has chosen House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas), House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.), and House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) to serve on the "supercommittee" tasked with finding more spending cuts by the end of the year.

Hensarling will serve as co-chairman of the committee. In choosing these veteran members, Boehner avoided choosing any of the dozens of new Republican freshmen.

"The lawmakers I have appointed to serve on this joint committee are proven leaders who have earned the trust and confidence of their colleagues and constituents," Boehner said. "They understand the gravity of our debt crisis and I appreciate their willingness to serve on this panel."

McConnell chose Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), but also chose two freshman senators: former Office of Management and Budget Director Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).

"All three of these nominees understand the gravity of our situation and all three will bring the kind of responsibility, creativity, and thoughtfulness that the moment requires," McConnell said of his picks. "The American people know that we cannot dig ourselves out of this situation by nibbling around the edges, and I am confident that each of these nominees can be counted on to propose solutions that put the interests of all Americans ahead of any one political party."

Boehner added that he believes the committee will serve transparently, as many members of Congress have insisted.

"This joint committee presents an opportunity for both parties to bring to the table their best ideas, debate them on the merits, and ultimately come together to do what's best for our country," he said. "With all that's at stake, I expect that the joint select committee will conduct its work in the open and transparent manner the American people deserve."

In a separate statement, Camp thanked Boehner for choosing him and said the committee must do its utmost to cut spending, especially in light of recent market turbulence.

"Last Friday's downgrade of our debt by S&P is a strong reminder of how important it is for this Committee to lead and focus on restoring confidence in America by further cutting out of control spending and reducing the deficit," Camp said. "If we are successful in curbing the overspending in Washington that has sparked fear in the financial markets and created uncertainty on Main Street, we will start to see the job creation we desperately need."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Tuesday chose Sens. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) to serve on the committee. Murray was Reid's pick to serve as co-chairwoman.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) must still pick three members to serve on the 12-member committee.

— This story was updated at 11:36 p.m.