IIRC the new rules say that the Supercommittee is charged with finding some $1.2 trillion in cuts. And that whatever the Supercommittee agrees on, is merely a recommendation, not a law (or even a passed bill). It then goes to the full Congress (House and Senate) for an up-or-down vote, without discussion. If they pass it, then the President gets his chance to sign it... or not.
Well, maybe the Congress can't discuss it, but the media can. And Congress's votes will be public, so it will be known that Congressman Bupkis from North Wherever voted to pass it. But you know the drill. As soon as the Scomm's recommendations are passed (or sooner), they will become public information. And the media screaming will begin instantly... but they may as well not waste the bandwidth. We already know what they will say.
"But-but-but this will take away school lunches from children! And that part will cut down Seniors' benefits! And the other part over there will be especially hard on women and minorities!!! WE CAN'T HAVE THIS!!!"
Same old, same old. And any Rep or Senator who dares vote for it, will be tarred, feathered, and run out of town on a rail. And Congresscritters will be put on all the morning shows as "Serious, concerned" newsreaders pillory them before the public any time they even hint they might vote Yes. And Breaking News will erupt every five minutes with the revelation that Mary Martin from Calexico actually said she is considering it. And etc. etc. You know the drill.
So, is this whole Supercommittee thing an exercise in futility? In the unlikely event that six Republicans and six Democrats can even agree how to spell "In Congress assembled", is there any chance that what they agree on, will even see the light of day in the full Congress before it's summarily thrown out?
