The Senate voted 70 to 30 to reappoint Ben Bernanke for a second four-year term as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

Earlier this afternoon, senators voted 77-23 to end debate, clearing the way for a final vote.

The approval comes after a week when Senators opposed to Bernanke's confirmation voiced their dissatisfaction with the Chairman's performance during the most recent financial crisis. Many said he had a role in creating the problems, saw a lack of progress for Main Street, and said there has been a lack of transparency in how tax payer money has been used.

Bernanke needed 60 of 100 senate votes for a smooth confirmation process. A surprise Republican Senate victory in Massachusetts two weeks ago gave the Republicans 41 votes in the Senate.

Ben Bernanke