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Gang of Eight Regroups Post-Election

By Stacy Kaper // November 7, 2012 | 5:09 p.m.

Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., left and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., leaders of "The Gang of Six" participate in a discussion on the federal budget, deficit reduction and the debt ceiling during a luncheon of the Economic Club in Washington, Wednesday, June 8, 2011. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The notorious Gang of Eight decided to waste no time after the elections.

The bipartisan group of senators, which is meeting in an unofficial capacity to try and reach agreements on how to head off the fiscal cliff, scheduled a conference call on Wednesday to regroup post election.

The gang has not been sanctioned by leadership for either party to try to negotiate a deal, but members hope that if they can reach a bipartisan compromise they can help the fractured parties come together.

The gang is not expected to meet again in person until after Congress resumes for a lame-duck session.

The gang consists of Democratic Sens. Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Dick Durbin of Illinois, and Mark Warner of Virginia; and Republican Sens. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, and Mike Crapo of Idaho, as well as additions Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Mike Johanns, R-Neb.