Shuster named defense conferee

WASHINGTON -- Congressman Bill Shuster, R-Blair, has been named to a bi-cameral conference committee working furiously this week to hash out provisions of the defense authorization act, which provides resources for deployed troops. 

Mr. Shuster will help represent the House Armed Services Committee during negotiations to reconcile differences in separate bills approved by the House and Senate. 

As one of 100 conferees, Mr. Shuster will likely have less influence than the last Pennsylvanian to serve on a joint conference committee. Republican Pat Toomey served on the 12-member joint deficit-reduction committee, which last month ended its work without resolution.