'Super committee' members have received $1.6 million from 'bundlers'

These contributions, which have been given over the past year to several members of the panel, come from defense, health care and tax interests.

Politico: Bundlers On Target In Deficit Super Committee
Over the past year, more than two dozen of these "bundlers" -; companies and lobbyists who cut big checks and pile up scores of smaller donations -; have directed $1.6 million to several members of the super committee and the House and Senate campaign arms, according to federal records. What makes these bundlers stand out above other lobbyists in Washington is the sheer size of their donations -; bolstering their influence over the most critical issues before the super committee, including defense, health care and taxes (Palmer and Raju, 9/18).

Meanwhile, as the "super committee" continues its efforts to develop recommendations to reduce the nation's debt -; with a fiscally aware Congress in the backdrop -; The New York Times reports that military retirees' benefits could face cuts.

The New York Times: Retiree Benefits For The Military Could Face Cuts
As Washington looks to squeeze savings from once-sacrosanct entitlements like Social Security and Medicare, another big social welfare system is growing as rapidly, but with far less scrutiny: the health and pension benefits of military retirees (Dao and Walsh, 9/18).