Bush to nominate veteran Republican aide to head Social Security

The White House announced Thursday that President Bush intends to nominate Jo Anne Barnhart to a six-year term as head of the Social Security Administration--which pumps out $450 billion a year to 45 million, mainly elderly, pension recipients.

Barnhart's appointment as Social Security commissioner is subject to Senate confirmation.

The commissioner's job is always a sensitive position because of the vast administrative responsibility to make the checks go out on time and keep the records straight. But with the president and congressional Democrats poised for a possible battle over his plan to introduce personal stock-market accounts to the system, the job could be even tougher than normal.

Barnhart is a veteran Republican administrator of social programs with strong links to ex-Sen. William Roth, R-Del. She was a legislative assistant to Roth from 1977-1981 and ran his re- election campaigns in 1988, 1994 and 2000. She served as political director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the 1995-96 cycle.

Barnhart also has held social program positions in the federal government: Her highest post was Health and Human Services assistant secretary for children and families 1990-93. Barnhart is currently a member of the Social Security Advisory Board, which advises the president, Congress and the commissioner on matters related to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income.