Politics | Tom Coburn Behind the Gang of Six's Resurrection: Tom Coburn Many Senate Republicans now back deal that includes new revenues By Kevin Spak Posted Jul 20, 2011 7:52 AM CDT Copied Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., reveals his "Back in Black" plan to reduce the federal deficit, Monday, July 18, 2011, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Tom Coburn got the old gang back together yesterday—the “Gang of Six” that is—reviving hopes that the Senate could forge a major debt reduction deal. “I’m back,” Coburn declared before a crowd of almost 50 senators from both parties, to a resounding round of applause. Coburn’s return was absolutely crucial, Politico notes in a look behind the scenes, because the gang’s two other Republicans—Mike Crapo and Saxby Chambliss—wouldn’t have signed off on a deal without him. Coburn dramatically left the group in May, but kept discussing it with Chambliss, a close friend. Coburn is also close with President Obama, who immediately endorsed the gang’s plan for $3.7 trillion in debt reductions. The plan calls for broad spending cuts—including to Medicare and Social Security—alongside $1 trillion in new revenues from a tax code overhaul. Coburn, Crapo, and Chambliss held a closed-door Q&A with fellow Republicans yesterday, prompting a few to publicly declare their support. Read These Next Something weird is happening in the Gulf of Panama. Amazon Prime members, you may not be happy with this news. In China, North Korea's Kim reveals a surprise guest. Rudy Giuliani has 'some healing to do.' Report an error