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WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate has confirmed immigration director Alejandro Mayorkas to be the No. 2 official at the Department of Homleand Security.
The 54-41 vote clears one of dozens of President Barack Obama's nominees to high government offices. Under a deal struck only hours earlier, Mayorkas' confirmation will be followed by votes to confirm John Andrew Koskinen to head the Internal Revenue Service and Brian J. Davis as U.S. District judge for Florida. The agreement calls for the Senate to vote on the confirmation of Janet Yellen to chair the Federal Reserve on Jan. 6.
Mayorkas' confirmation comes over GOP concerns that he remains the subject of an internal investigation into his decisions in a foreign investor visa program. Democrats say the probe has uncovered nothing improper. Mayorkas has denied any wrongdoing.
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