Bernanke reconfirmed as head of Federal Reserve
Narrowest Senate vote ever for Fed chairman
The U.S. Senate voted 70 to 30 on Thursday to confirm Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke for a second four-year term.
Bernanke came under criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, who said he failed to respond fast enough to the financial crisis and for Wall Street bailouts.
He was also criticized for not doing something to stop bonuses paid to bank executives even as unemployment climbed into double digits.
His supporters argue that Bernanke came to the financial industry's rescue in time to prevent a catastrophic collapse.
The vote was the closest ever for a nominee for Federal Reserve chairman. The Senate has never rejected a candidate for head of the central bank. Bernanke's current term expires on Sunday.
With files from The Associated Press