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WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats have taken advantage of their weakening of filibusters and muscled through the Senate President Barack Obama's pick to lead a housing regulation agency.
By 57-41 Tuesday, senators confirmed Rep. Mel Watt to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Obama nominated the North Carolina Democrat in May but he's been in limbo ever since. Republicans have said he's not qualified, while Democrats say the 21-year House veteran has the needed experience.
Until Tuesday, Watt's nomination was blocked because Democrats needed 60 Senate votes to end a GOP filibuster. But last month, the chamber's majority Democrats lowered that threshold to a simple majority.
Also Tuesday, the Senate confirmed another top Obama pick: Patricia Millett to join the powerful U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
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