UPDATE: Wadded-up Kleenex Joins Gang of Six

WASHINGTON (GB) - Hopes for a bipartisan deal on the debt ceiling were raised tonight with the news that a wadded-up Kleenex has joined the Senate's Gang of Six.

"We are delighted that this mucous-covered tissue has decided to work with us in finding a solution to the debt and deficit crisis," said Gang of Six member Mark Warner (D-VA). "This is the shot in the arm these talks need."

Aides to the Kleenex said it hopes
a deal can be reached to avoid a
government default.

Republican Gang of Six participant Tom Coburn (R-OK) echoed Warner's remarks, telling reporters, "I look forward to hearing the Kleenex's ideas on cutting spending and finding a way forward on tax reform."

Congressional leaders in both parties, however, expressed concern that the discarded tissue might sell out their respective sides for a larger debt ceiling deal.

"Where is the Kleenex on entitlements? Is it going to want to cut Social Security?" asked an unnamed Senate Democratic aide. "We hope that this thin piece of crumpled up cotton fibers has the moral fiber not to undermine 70 years of protecting the most vulnerable."

A House Republican aide was more dismissive, calling the Kleenex "a tax-and-spend snot rag." The aide further raised a question about whether the tissue had signed onto the Americans for Tax Reform no-new-taxes pledge.

Calls to the tissue and its advisers were not immediately returned, although according to the Kleenex's Twitter account, it plans to join the Gang of Six talks in the Capitol on Friday. "Cant wait 2B in the discussions," the tissue wrote. "Peace out, people."