(Washington Post) Claude A. Allen , head of the domestic policy council, resigned Wednesday, leaving the Bush administration to look for a presidential adviser to help broker a compromise bill.

On a voice vote yesterday, the Senate approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.). The House last summer passed similar legislation, backed by Reps. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) and John M. McHugh (R-N.Y.). The Senate and House will create a joint panel to iron out differences in the two versions.

The Postal Service board of governors opposes the overhaul, saying the bills would impose “numerous burdensome provisions.” The White House opposes any bill that would increase the federal deficit

Postal lobbyists said leading contenders to replace Allen on postal issues were Roger Kodat , a deputy assistant treasury secretary; Dan Blair , deputy director at OPM, and Jess Sharp , a White House domestic policy official.

In a statement yesterday, Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) said the House and Senate bills would “protect postal employees’ right to collective bargaining and employee benefits.” Open Comments

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