Claire McCaskill has joined a group of Senate colleagues in pushing for a group to focus on deficit reduction.

The Missouri Democrat and others sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid urging creation of a Budget Task Force. To be made up of congressional Democrats and Republicans and administration officials, the panel would make recommendations on long-term fiscal issues.

The letter cites the U.S. debt of $12 trillion and the continuing need for Congress to raise the debt limit. It also pointed out that budget deficits hurt interest rates, draw resources away from other national priorities and surrender economic influence to foreign creditors.

“We believe Congress needs to adopt a special process to deal with our nation’s long-term fiscal imbalances,” said the letter signed by nine Democrats and one independent.

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Health, more affordable

Congressman Sam Graves has introduced legislation he says will put small businesses on an equal footing with big companies in getting affordable health insurance.

The bill, tagged as H.R. 3776, would allow individuals full income tax deductibility of their health insurance premiums.

Mr. Graves, who represents Northwest Missouri, called this a common-sense solution to providing access to coverage. The Tarkio lawmaker said current law limits deductions of health-care costs and only under specific conditions. However, Americans with employer-sponsored group plans can pay premiums on a pre-tax basis.

“This legislation is a step in the right direction toward giving small businesses and individuals some of the same advantages that big businesses enjoy,” said Mr. Graves, the top Republican on the House Small Business Committee.

The bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

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Light on legislation

Freshman Rep. Lynn Jenkins wants the U.S. House to change “business as usual” when it comes to providing the text of legislation.

The Republican who represents Northeast Kansas introduced a resolution Thursday requiring House committees to post bills and amendments on the Internet within 24 hours of adoption.

She noted that major of pieces of legislation, including the stimulus bill and the cap-and-trade energy measure, have undergone changes behind closed doors this year. Her suggested changes, she said, would give members of Congress and the American public a chance to better understand legislation.

“The status quo of secrecy and back-door deals has worn out its welcome,” she said.

Ken Newton can be reached

at kenn@npgco.com.