Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., was elected chairman of the powerful House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Wednesday by the House of Representatives Republicansfor the upcoming 113th Congress. The 52-year-old, seven-term Altoona-area lawmaker scored a plum post that puts him in position to help Pennsylvania with its highway and transportation needs. Shuster's 9th Congressional District covers south-central to southwestern Pennsylvania.

The large committee has jurisdiction over roads, aviation, maritime and waterborne transportation, mass transit and railroads

"Transportation issues are among the most critical that we face in Congress and as a nation," Shuster said in a statement. "Working together in the 113th Congress, the committee will focus on strengthening America's transportation networks to make us more efficient, more competitive, and more prosporous."

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, hailed Shuster as "an experienced and well respected member of our conference and as the incoming chairman of the transportation and infrastructure committee his leadership will be critical to our important work next Congress."