Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid named Senate Democratic Conference Secretary, Sen. Patty Murray as the co-chair, Senator John Kerry, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman and Senator Max Baucus Senate Finance Committee Chairman to the panel.

Speaker of the House John Boehner named Rep. Jeb Hensarling, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, as the co-chair, serving with Energy and Commerce Chairman Rep. Fred Upton and Ways and Means Committee Chairman, Rep. Dave Camp.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell named Republican Whip Senator Jon Kyl, Senator Pat Toomey and Senator Rob Portman. Senators Toomey and Portman are both tea-party backed freshman Senators and Rob Portman was the former Director of the Office of Management and Budget from May 29, 2006 – June 19, 2007 under President George W. Bush.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi chose House Assistant Democratic Leader, Rep. Jim Clyburn, Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Xavier Becerra and Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the ranking member of the House Budget Committee.

These 12 members of the U.S. Congress have been given the opportunity to change the direction of our country, let us hope and pray they have the strength and courage to put their own personal feelings aside and do what is best for the entire country, not just what is best for their particular party.