Super Committee's Cuts Anything But Automatic

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/27/super-congress-super-committee-deficit-cuts_n_982770.html

The 12-member super committee created to slash the federal deficit is powered by the threat that if it doesn't come up with $1.2 trillion in savings, automatic, across-the-board cuts will be instituted to reach that same goal, with half of those cuts hitting the Pentagon.

Don't believe it.

The supposed across-the-board cuts aren't slated to go into effect until January 1, 2013. Put more simply: They might not ever go into effect.

(snip)
Former Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.), who is running again for an Orlando seat, noted in a blog post Monday that the Constitution is not on the side of those pushing for automatic cuts.

"Under Article I, Section 7 of our Constitution, each Congress has the same right as another other Congress to legislate. This includes 'raising Revenue' and 'Appropriation of Money,'" he wrote. "So our 112th Congress can 'pass a Bill' setting the federal deficit for this year and next year, but that's about it. Anything that goes beyond the first week of January, 2013, when the 113th Congress will be sworn in, is subject to change by that Congress, and every subsequent Congress."



"Fraught With Evil," Said the Supreme Court
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-alan-grayson/fraught-with-evil-said-th_b_981550.html