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Senate confirms Janet Yellen as treasury secretary

WASHINGTON — Former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen won approval Monday from the U.S. Senate to become treasury secretary, marking the first time a woman has filled the role.

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According to The Associated Press, the Senate voted 84-15 to confirm Yellen. All the dissenting senators were Republicans, the news agency reported.

In addition to serving as Federal Reserve chair from 2014 to 2018, Yellen, 74, was president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco from 2004 to 2010 and chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers under President Bill Clinton from 1997 to 1999, according to The New York Times.

During her confirmation hearing last week, Yellen spoke in support of a coronavirus relief package that includes $1,400 direct payments to many Americans, the AP reported.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.