The Senate has approved President Trump's selection of Jerome Powell to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve beginning next month. Senators voted 85-12 to confirm Powell to lead the nation's central bank, a post that's considered the most powerful economic position in government, per the AP. Powell will succeed Janet Yellen, the first woman to lead the Fed, when her term ends Feb. 3. Trump decided against offering Yellen a second four-year term as chair despite widespread praise for her performance since succeeding Ben Bernanke.
Powell, 64, has served for 5½ years on the Fed's board. A lawyer and investment manager by training, he will be the first Fed leader in 40 years without an advanced degree in economics. Many expect him to follow Yellen's cautious approach to interest rates, though the Wall Street Journal notes that the economy will dictate his path. If inflation remains under 2%, Powell's Fed might skip rate increases. But if the "economy shows signs of overheating, they might want to move more aggressively," writes Newley Purnell. (More Jerome Powell stories.)
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