Senate Confirms Jack Lew to Be Treasury Chief

The Senate confirmed Jacob ("Jack") Lew to be Treasury secretary, affirming President Obama's choice of a budget expert at a time when Congress and the White House are at odds over sharp government spending cuts. The Senate voted 71-26 to support the nomination. Lew, 57, who had most recently served as Obama's chief of staff, succeeds Timothy Geithner. Lew takes over just before automatic spending cuts are set to take effect because of Friday's sequester deadline. He's likely to take part in any negotiations to reverse the cuts, and also in key budget talks next month to continue funding the government. The big question, though: Will he change his signature? (More Treasury secretary stories.)