Fischer Confirmed by Senate as Fed Governor in 68-27 Vote

The U.S. Senate confirmed former Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, while postponing a separate vote on his nomination to be vice chairman of the central bank.

Fischer, 70, was approved today on a 68-27 vote, leaving little doubt that he will win Senate support to fill the No. 2 role Janet Yellen vacated in February when she succeeded Ben S. Bernanke as Fed chair. The Senate will vote at “some later time” on confirming Fischer as vice chairman, said Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat.