Durbin to Sit on Transportation Bill Conference Committee

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says he has a seat on the joint committee of Senate and House members who will work on a new version of the national transportation funding bill.

Durbin's office said Tuesday that the Democratic Illinois senator was appointed to the Senate-House Conference Committee by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Durbin says that Illinois depends on "robust federal investment" in transportation to keep the state economy moving. Durbin says he's focused on a bill that will create jobs and protect public transit, rail and highway investments.

Late last month President Barack Obama signed a three-month extension of a transportation bill to keep federal highway and transit aid flowing. The move prevents a widespread shutdown of construction projects.