WASHINGTON — Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey was been named today to the powerful new committee tasked to find a bipartisan plan to slash the federal budget deficit by over $1 trillion.

He is one of six Republicans who will be on the 12-member panel.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., also named Republican Sens. Jon Kyl of Arizona, and Rob Portman of Ohio to the panel.

House Speaker John Boehner picked Reps. Jeb Hensarling of Texas, Dave Camp and Fred Upton, both of Michigan, to the committee.

On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid named Democrat Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, and John Kerry, D-Mass., and Max Baucus, D-Mont., to the panel.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi will name the other three.