WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman of the House transportation committee says he never considered recusing himself from the panel’s work on aviation legislation after he began dating a top airline industry lobbyist.
GOP Rep. Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania says he’s been “transparent” about the relationship begun last year. He pointed to rules in his office that bar the woman from lobbying him or his staff. He described those rules as going beyond what the law requires.
Shuster, appearing at a National Journal event, said people in Washington know his “integrity level.” He says he guarantees that when an aviation bill is passed, everyone involved will be content with the outcome.
Shuster, who is divorced, earlier this month confirmed his relationship with Shelley Rubino, a vice president for global government affairs at Airlines for America.
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