Yellen nears confirmation as Treasury secretary with committee’s approval

WASHINGTON — Janet Yellen was on the verge of confirmation as Treasury secretary after getting the unanimous approval of the Senate Finance Committee on Friday.

The panel approved Yellen in a 26-0 vote Friday morning. While she could potentially be confirmed by the full chamber later in the day, senators from both parties indicated a Monday vote was more likely amid ongoing squabbling over former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial and the organization of a Senate evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.

The committee’s unanimous vote suggests Yellen will win easy confirmation from the Senate, which the Democrats now control by virtue of a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Kamala Harris. Many Republican lawmakers have already voiced their support for Yellen.

“In the Senate you have a hard time getting 26 senators to agree to buy a soda,” Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the finance panel, told reporters. “She ought to be confirmed some time today.”

Chuck Grassley, the top Republican on the panel, said that there is “no doubt” about her qualifications, though he didn’t expect to support her entire agenda. GOP Sen. Michael Crapo also said he had strong concerns about Yellen’s tax policy, but the Republican support indicates that “we want to engage.”

The 74-year-old former Federal Reserve chair — who would be the first female Treasury secretary — will step into the job as President Joe Biden struggles to gain Republican support for his proposed $1.9 trillion stimulus package, which includes funds for vaccine distribution along with $1,400 payments to Americans and extensions to special unemployment benefits.