Democrats Patty Murray, Max Baucus and John Kerry named to debt super committee

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid confirmed plans to name Sen. Patty Murray of Washington (left) as co-chair of the deficit reduction committee tasked with finding at least $1.2 in federal government savings by October, a Democratic aide tells CBS News.

Reid confirmed earlier reports that he name Democratic Sens. Max Baucus of Montana (center) and John Kerry of Massachusetts (right) to the committee.

The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, which was created as part of the deal to increase the debt ceiling, must vote on recommendations to reduce the deficit by November 23. If a majority approves the recommendations, the House and Senate must vote on them by December 23.

If the committee does not put forth recommendations or Congress does not enact them, $1.2 trillion in across-the-board spending cuts will be automatically triggered, including domestic and military cuts.

The committee's goal will be $1.5 trillion in savings, though in light of the recent downgrade in the U.S. credit rating, it is likely to seek greater savings. But it appears it can still meet its mandate if it finds only $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction.

The committee will ultimately be made up of 12 members - three Senate Democrats, three Senate Republicans, three House Democrats and three House Republicans. The party leadership in each chamber appoints the members. The other co-chair of the committee will be named by House Speaker John Boehner.

All the members of the committee must be appointed by August 16, and the committee must hold its first meeting by September 16.

President Obama and many Democrats are pushing for a "balanced approach"to deficit reduction that includes tax increases on high-earners, "modest adjustments" to Medicare and other health care entitlement programs, and tax reform. Many Republicans, however, have ruled out any revenue increases to address the deficit and debt. It is not clear how the committee could craft a deal that satisfies both the Democratic insistence for revenue increases with Republican opposition. 

CBSNews.com special report: America's debt battle

Reid is expected to make an official announcement in the next few days, as is Boehner, who told members of his caucus in a conference call Tuesday: "You can be confident the people I select to represent our Conference will be people of courage who understand the gravity of this situation and are committed to doing what needs to be done."

Murray chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which is seeking to get Democrats elected in the 2012 cycle, and is also a senior member of the Budget Committee. Baucus chairs the powerful Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over entitlement programs and other areas that are likely to be examined by the committee.