January 12, 2005

Claude Allen to Join White House Team As Bush Advisor On Domestic Policy

Unable to secure a federal judgeship for Claude Allen after vehement opposition from Senate Democrats, the Bush Administration has given him a secure political patronage job.

Last week President Bush announced his intention to name Claude A. Allen Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. He will fill the position currently held by Margaret Spellings. Bush stated, "Claude Allen has been a valuable member of my Administration since 2001, helping to improve the health and welfare of all Americans. He is a dedicated public servant and a tireless advocate for those in need. I look forward to his continued service in this new role as my domestic policy advisor."

In his most recent position as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, Allen supported expanding the federal Child Health Insurance Program to cover fetuses (but not pregnant women) and backed the Bush Administration's decision to remove information about condom effectiveness and teen pregnancy prevention from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website.

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