Four Senate Republicans Back Yellen for Fed Chairman

By Kathleen Hunter and Cheyenne Hopkins - Nov 20, 2013

Five Senate Republicans say they’re inclined to support Janet Yellen to be chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, which should give her the 60 she needs to be confirmed.

Republicans Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Orrin Hatch of Utah said in interviews at the Capitol that they would probably support Yellen when the nomination comes to the Senate floor, which may occur the week of Dec. 9. Republican Bob Corker of Tennessee announced today in a news release that he also would support her. The Banking Committee plans to vote tomorrow on advancing Yellen.

“In the end, I do believe she has the qualifications necessary to be the Fed chairman and plan to support her nomination,” Corker said in his statement.

Corker’s support would give Yellen the 60 votes needed to overcome a procedural obstacle and win confirmation. Democrats, who control 55 seats in the Senate, are united behind Yellen. She needs the support of at least five Republicans to overcome opponents’ attempts to thwart her confirmation.

“I’m inclined to,” Coburn said yesterday when asked if he would back her nomination. “She’s obviously qualified. I don’t agree with a lot of her philosophy, but she’s qualified.”

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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-20/four-senate-republicans-back-yellen-for-u-s-fed-chairman.html