WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, who has called for a congressional investigation as to whether Russia intervened in the presidential election to help elect Donald Trump, will be getting a perch in the new Senate from which to continue his efforts.

Booker (D-N.J.) will sit on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when the 115th Congress convenes next month. He will join fellow New Jersey Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez, who also has called for such a probe, on the panel.

"At a time of global turmoil, when there are more refugees than at any time since World War II, and when the incoming administration -- including the nominee for secretary of state -- has disconcertingly close ties with Russia despite their attempts to undermine our system of free elections, I look forward to being a voice for American diplomacy, compassion, and justice," Booker said in a statement.

Menendez chaired the committee when Democrats controlled the Senate and temporarily stepped aside as the ranking member following his April 2015 indictment on federal corruption charges.

"Senator Booker has been a firm ally for those who do not always have a place at the table, and has made a name for himself by being able to find openings to work with Republicans to find bipartisan solutions," Menendez said in a statement. "At a time of great need and ever-changing geopolitical dynamics, I look forward to having Senator Booker join us in this important job."

Booker will continue to serve on the Commerce, Environment and Public Works; and Small Business committees, though he will leave the Homeland Security and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs panel.

The Commerce Committee oversees Amtrak and other railroads and the trucking industry, and the Environment and Public Works panel will be front and center if Trump fulfills his campaign promise and proposes a massive rebuild of roads, bridges and other infrastructure in an attempt to create millions of jobs.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook