Crossfire, and hints of compromise

It would immediately raise the debt ceiling by about $1 trillion and set up a new bipartisan committee to find deeper cuts in exchange for a second debt limit increase that would extend through the 2012 election.

A failure of the new committee to win enactment of its proposal could then set off automatic spending cuts across the board, including to entitlement programs.

A cloud of unease hung over the Capitol yesterday, as lawmakers and their aides huddled in conference rooms and hallways.

Grim-faced House Democrats filed into a meeting late yesterday morning to discuss their options. Representative Barney Frank, a Newton Democrat, said that House members were discussing what proposals they could accept in a compromise with Republicans. He said he’s willing to accept a deal that has no tax increases as long as it does not cut Medicare or Social Security.

“Our role is to tell [Reid] that if he can get that kind of a deal, we’ll try to sell it on our side, even though there will be aspects to it that people won’t like,’’ he said

Representative Michael E. Capuano, Democrat of Somerville, said he didn’t know how things were going to end, but he knew one thing: “It’s going to be messy and uncomfortable for a lot of people. For everybody - including me.’’

“Everybody knows this has to be done. At some point we’re going to have to get there,’’ he said. “I’m actually surprised that everyone’s surprised at how long it’s taken. This is how it works. I don’t think it’s going to work any differently than it ever does.’’

Donovan Slack can be reached at dslack@globe.com. Theo Emery can be reached at temery@globe.com Follow them on Twitter @DonovanSlack and @temery.