WASHINGTON — The Senate voted Friday to confirm a retired corporate and government turnaround specialist to head the Internal Revenue Service.
John Koskinen, 74, won a five-year term as IRS commissioner, which would last beyond President Barack Obama's stay in office. The vote was 59-36.
Koskinen's confirmation was one of several being voted on Friday as the Senate wrapped up its work for the year.
The Senate also cleared the way for Janet Yellen to succeed Ben Bernanke as head of the Federal Reserve. Friday's procedural vote will allow the confirmation of Yellen as the first woman to lead the Fed on Jan. 6, after the Senate returns from vacation.