For Release: Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

COSTELLO NAMED TO HIGHWAY BILL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today was named a House conferee on H.R. 4348, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012. The conference committee between the House and the Senate will negotiate a final version of a multi-year highway bill. The Senate passed a two-year $109 billion version while the House has passed an extension of the current law. Costello is the third ranking Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and a strong proponent of infrastructure investment.

“We need to move quickly to finalize a robust bill, as the construction season is already underway,” said Costello. “As I have said many times, investing in our roads, bridges, waterways and rail systems creates good-paying jobs now while making our transportation system more efficient for decades into the future. Our backlog of maintenance needs alone is staggering, and we need to address it or continue to jeopardize our economic future. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the conference committee on a bill that will be good for Illinois and the nation.”

###