Meet the Congressional supercommittee

Republican Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas is the panel co-chair. If his name is familiar, it isn't because of retirement or money management legislation, but rather fund raising from the financial services sector. Mr. Hensarling gets nearly 40% of his fundraising from people and political action committees in those sectors.

Republican Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan is not only a member of the supercommittee but also the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Mr. Upton started his career in politics by working for David Stockman, the Reagan administration budget manager, who after leaving politics founded private equity firm Heartland Industrial Partners LP. Mr. Upton does not receive a great deal of campaign funding from the financial services sector.

Republican Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, the senate minority whip, is perhaps one of the better known names on the supercommittee. Furthermore, Mr. Kyl serves on the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy making him one of the members of the supercommittee better versed in retirement issues.

Before entering politics, Republican Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania started his career in finance as a forex trader for Chemical Bank and Morgan, Grenfell & Co. He left finance for a career in politics where he has made tax policy a leading campaign issue first as a Congressmen then as a Senator.

Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio stands out as well versed in the nuts-and-bolts of pension issues, as well as federal spending, thanks to his tenure as director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush. In 2001, Mr. Portman co-sponsored The Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act. Enacted as part of a larger economic package, it raised limits on employee contributions to 401(k), 403(b) or 457 plans and allowed for catch-up contributions and faster vesting of employer contributions. Mr. Portman received 18% of his campaign funding from the financial services sector.

Democratic Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina is the third highest ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives. Mr. Clyburn is well-known for his pro-union political stance.

Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, is a seasoned tax veteran familiar with recurring revenue proposals including capping retirement tax incentives and requiring investment partnerships to pay tax on carried interest. Mr. Van Hollen and fellow Democrats also have called for increasing tax rates for corporations and individuals who make $500,000 or more.

Democratic Rep. Xavier Becerra of California is a member of the supercommittee and the House's Comittee on Ways and Means. He is best known for opposing the legislation that created the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Democratic Senator Max Baucus of Montana, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, is one of the better known names on the supercommittee. He is a seasoned tax veterans familiar with recurring revenue proposals including capping retirement tax incentives and requiring investment partnerships to pay tax on carried interest. He receives 20% of his campaign funding from the financial services industry.

Democratic Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts may be the best known member of the supercommittee thanks in part to his 2004 White House bid. He sits on the Senate Committee on Finance among others.

Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington is the only woman on the supercommittee. She is likely one of the members better versed in retirement issues as she's a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.