Allen was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives in 1932 and would be re-elected thirteen additional times, serving from March 4, 1933, to January 3, 1961. He twice served as chairman of the House Committee on Rules during the two Congresses he served in which the Republicans held majorities, the 80th Congress (1947–1949) and the 83rd Congress (1953–1955).
Allen was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives for over two decades, serving from March 4, 1933, to January 3, 1961. He held the position of chairman of the House Committee on Rules twice during his time in Congress, once in the 80th Congress (1947–1949) and again in the 83rd Congress (1953–1955).