The Senate yesterday confirmed President Obama’s pick for Treasury Secretary, Jacob J. Lew, a day after the president’s nominee for defense secretary narrowly survived a highly politicized confirmation vote, the New York Times reported today. The final vote was 71 to 26, with 20 Republicans joining the Democratic majority in support of Lew’s nomination. Historically, the Treasury secretary position has been an easy one for presidents to fill, with nominees typically receiving unanimous support from the Senate. Obama's previous Treasury secretary, Timothy F. Geithner, was a notable exception. After disclosures that Mr. Geithner was delinquent in paying some taxes, many Republicans objected. He was confirmed by a 60-to-34 vote.
