Republicans criticize bipartisan US debt panel

Riding high after unexpectedly picking up a U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts on Tuesday, key Republicans said they would not support a White House task force that would consider tax hikes, spending cuts and other unpopular measures to bring down budget deficits to a manageable level.

"It's a nothing-burger," said Republican Senator Judd Gregg, even though he has proposed a similar measure.

Republican opposition could undermine the bipartisan luster of the commission, which aims to reach consensus on taming the $12.4 trillion debt and give lawmakers political cover to sign off on measures that could anger voters.

Republican Representative Frank Wolf, whose own version has drawn more than 100 co-sponsors in the House, blasted the Democratic plan as a "fig leaf."

Senator George Voinovich, the only Republican to vote with Democrats to raise the debt limit last month, said it would cover a different part of President Barack Obama's anatomy.