Geithner approved

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Senate lawmakers voted Monday to confirm Tim Geithner as the next Treasury secretary amid ongoing uncertainty about the nation's economic future.

Geithner, who will spearhead President Obama's response to the financial crisis that threatens to unravel economic growth around the globe, won approval by a vote of 60 to 34.

Democrats on Capitol Hill had been pushing for a quick confirmation of Geithner, arguing that the threats facing the economy required immediate action.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, cited that rationale in a statement on the Senate floor Monday afternoon.

"I do not believe we have the luxury of leaving this nomination unfilled even another day," said Hatch, who was one of five Republicans to support Geithner's nomination last week when it came before the Senate Finance Committee. "You're not going to get a better person for this job."

Reid warned Friday that Republicans "would not be very wise politically" to try to hold up the nomination, which last week won the support of all the Democrats and half the Republicans on the finance committee. He added that Democrats could block any attempt to filibuster.

Despite Reid's comments, several Republican lawmakers made clear Monday that they had reservations about Geithner. Sens. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, John Thune of South Dakota and James Inhofe of Oklahoma questioned Geithner's character in light of his failure to pay some taxes earlier this decade, and his handling of questions about those missteps.

"I don't believe he has been remotely forthcoming," said Inhofe.

Geithner will take over for Stuart A. Levey, the Under Secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, who has been serving as acting Treasury Secretary since the Obama administration took office last week.

Vis wrote:Maybe you can write off daycare now!!! I would write off dvd/videos, books, hell write of the damn television... don't they all occupy your kids??? Just make some telemarketing calls while they are watching so you can establish earned income.

Bman wrote:Hell people, staunch conservatives like Orin Hatch supported him. If he can turn this economic mess created by greedy republicans (there Mark, I did not use right wing) then more power to him.

Bman wrote:Hell people, staunch conservatives like Orin Hatch supported him. If he can turn this economic mess created by greedy republicans (there Mark, I did not use right wing) then more power to him.

Bman wrote:Hell people, staunch conservatives like Orin Hatch supported him. If he can turn this economic mess created by greedy republicans (there Mark, I did not use right wing) then more power to him.