Somerset County hires former congressman Bill Shuster to lobby for U.S. Route 219 completion
SOMERSET, Pa. (WTAJ) — Somerset County is bringing in a high-profile lobbyist to push for the long-awaited completion of U.S. Route 219.
According to our media partners The Tribune-Democrat, county commissioners voted unanimously to hire former U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, who has strong connections in Washington, to advocate for the project as federal spending faces new scrutiny.
Shuster, who once chaired the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, now works for the lobbying firm Squire Patton Boggs. He will be paid $12,500 per month through the end of the year to push for the road's construction, which is slated to begin in 2029.
'He has those relationships (at the federal level) with the Department of Transportation. He has worked with President Trump,' Commissioner Pamela Tokar-Ickes said.
Commissioners say securing funding and keeping the project on track is a top priority, given Route 219's economic impact on the region.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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