Van Hollen Appointed to 'Super Committee'

Rep. Chris Van Hollen, a Kensington Democrat, will be a member of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, a bicameral group of lawmakers tasked with slashing the federal deficit.

Van Hollen, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, was appointed to the 12-member group by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Thursday.

"I am honored to have been asked by Democratic leader Pelosi to serve on the Joint Committee," Van Hollen said in a statement. "I look forward to working with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to address the huge challenge before us."

The committee is charged with drafting a debt-reduction plan by Nov. 23, which will then be put before Congress.

"Our plan should put jobs first, sharpen America's competitive edge, ensure health and retirement security, and require shared responsibility from those who have done so well even during these tough economic times," Van Hollen said.