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Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation

The Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation
The Assistant Secretary for Legislation serves as principal advisor to the Secretary with respect to all aspects of the Department's legislative agenda and Congressional liaison activities.

Immediate Office Staff:

Vince Ventimiglia, Assistant Secretary for Legislation
Vince.Ventimiglia@hhs.gov

Julie Hasler, Special Assistant
Julie.Hasler@hhs.gov

Rose Lusi, Executive Staff Analyst
Rose.Lusi@hhs.gov

Tishawn Miller, Executive Analyst

James Gallmon, Motor Vehicle Operator

Phone: 202-690-7627
Fax: 202-690-7380


Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation for Discretionary Health Programs
The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation for Discretionary Health Programs reports to the Assistant Secretary for Legislation and assists in the legislative agenda and liaison for discretionary health programs. This portfolio includes health-science-oriented operating divisions (the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality), health IT, private-sector health insurance, medical literacy and patient safety, and biodefense. The Office is responsible for the coordination of activities of Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation and the Department with respect to the Congressional Budget Process, and assists the ASL in budget affairs of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation.

Discretionary Health Programs Staff:

Craig Burton, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Executive Secretary, Import Safety Working Group
Craig.Burton@hhs.gov

Holly Kilness, Confidential Assistant
Holly.Kilness@hhs.gov

Catherine Backmeyer, Special Assistant
Catherine.Backmeyer@hhs.gov

Roger McClung, Deputy Director for Health Legislation
Roger.McClung@hhs.gov

Zeno St. Cyr II, Senior Legislative Officer
Zeno.St.Cyr@hhs.gov

Leo Luberecki, Legislative Analyst
Leopold.Luberecki@hhs.gov

India Luckett, Legislative Staff Assistant
India.Luckett@hhs.gov

Cliff McLaughlin, Motor Vehicle Operator

Phone: 202-690-7627
Fax: 202-690-7380


Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation for Mandatory Health Programs
The Deputy Assistant Secretary Legislation for Mandatory Health Programs reports to the Assistant Secretary for Legislation and assists in the legislative agenda and liaison for health services and health care financing operating divisions (Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, Indian Health Service and Health Resources and Services Administration).

Mandatory Health Programs Staff:

Chris Bowlin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation
Chris.Bowlin@hhs.gov

Riley Swinehart, Confidential Assistant
Riley.Swinehart@hhs.gov

Deborah Drayer, Legislative Analyst
Deborah.Drayer@hhs.gov

Stephanie Wilson, Staff Assistant
Stephanie.Wilson@hhs.gov

Phone: 202-690-7450
Fax: 202-690-8425


Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation for Human Services
The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation for Human Services reports to the Assistant Secretary for Legislation and assists in the legislative agenda and liaison for human services and income security policy. This portfolio includes the Administration for Children and Families; the Administration on Aging; and, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Human Services Staff:

Roger Mahan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation
Roger.Mahan@hhs.gov

Barbara Clark, Deputy Director for Human Services
Barbara.Clark@hhs.gov

Maurice Huguley, Legislative Analyst
Maurice.Huguley@hhs.gov

Marion Mitchell, Legislative Analyst
Marion.Mitchell@hhs.gov

Arlene Franklin, Staff Assistant
Arlene.Franklin@hhs.gov

Phone: 202-690-6311
Fax: 202-690-5750


Congressional Liaison Office (CLO)
The Director of the Congressional Liaison Office reports to the Assistant Secretary for Legislation and assists in the legislative agenda and liaison for bioethics, faith-based, and special projects. The office maintains the Department's program grant notification system to Members of Congress (public access at:
GrantsNet and TAGGS), and is responsible for notifying and coordinating with Congress regarding the Secretary's travel and event schedule. In addition, CLO provides staff support for the Assistant Secretary for Legislation coordinating responsibilities to the HHS regional offices, and coordinates the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation.

Congressional Liaison Office Staff:

Matt Hughes, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation
Matt.Hughes@hhs.gov

VACANT, Confidential Assistant

Katie Hoppe, Congressional Liaison Specialist
Katie.Hoppe@hhs.gov

Tijuana Tripplet, Congressional Grants Liaison Specialists
Tijuana.Tripplet@hhs.gov

Staceye Arrington, Congressional Grants Liaison Specialists
Staceye.Arrington@hhs.gov

Cynthia Joyce, Correspondence Control Assistant

VACANT, Staff Assistant

Edward Whitley, Secretary
Edward.Whitley@hhs.gov

Phone: 202-690-6786
Fax: 202-690-6351


Office of Oversight and Investigations
This office reports to the Assistant Secretary for Legislation and has responsibility for all matters related to Congressional oversight and investigations, including those performed by the Government Accountability Office, and assists in the legislative agenda and liaison for special projects.

Oversight and Investigations Staff:

Jennifer Luong, Counselor on Oversight to the ASL
Jennifer.Luong@hhs.gov

Brad Conway, Counselor on Oversight
Brad.Conway@hhs.gov

Martin Schuh, Special Assistant

India Luckett, Legislative Staff Assistant
India.Luckett@hhs.gov

Phone: 202-690-7627
Fax: 202-690-7380