INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh says it's time to get serious about reducing the nation's record $12 trillion national debt.

The Democrat said Tuesday that he will not support an upcoming vote to raise the debt limit unless Congress commits to a strict new process to rein in the debt.

Bayh backs creation of a bipartisan commission that would debate measures to fight the country's mounting debt. Congress would then be bound by law to debate the commission's suggestions and take an up-or-down vote on the entire plan.

Congress has voted to raise the debt limit eight times since 2001. The national debt has doubled during this decade.

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