Rep. Shuster to continue as House transportation committee chair

The House Republican Conference yesterday selected U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) to again serve as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) described Shuster as an "effective committee leader and legislator," and cited his ability to build consensus on transportation and infrastructure legislation as being critical to Congress' work over the next two years.

"During the last two years, this committee worked in an inclusive manner to develop and pass initiatives to strengthen America’s infrastructure, improve our competitiveness, and help provide a sounder footing for economic growth and job creation," said Shuster in a press release.

Shuster also released a summary of what he describes as the committee's accomplishments during his tenure as chairman.

"Over the last two years, the committee recorded a number of achievements, including laws such as the Water Resources Reform and Development Act, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act, and the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act, and we're continuing to work into the final days of the 113th Congress," he said. "In the next Congress, the committee has more important work ahead of it, such as critical reauthorizations of surface transportation, aviation, and passenger rail programs. Working together, we can continue to improve our infrastructure and modernize our economically vital transportation network."