WASHINGTON — The Senate confirmed Timothy Geithner to become Treasury secretary Monday night despite concerns from several lawmakers over his failure to pay past income taxes.
The 60-34 vote split largely along party lines.
The selection of Mr. Geithner, the president and chief executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, to succeed Henry Paulson was initially hailed by the markets at a time of instability in the financial system. But the nominee hit a speed bump after disclosing that he did not pay roughly $34,000 in income tax associated with his work at the International Monetary Fund from 2001 to 2005. Mr. Geithner ultimately paid the taxes back with interest, and said the mistake was unintentional.
During debate Monday afternoon, several Republicans made a point of noting that the Treasury Department oversees the Internal Revenue Service.
Mr. Geithner was the director of the IMF's policy development and review department from 2001 to 2003. He joined the Treasury Department in 1988, and climbed the ranks during the Clinton administration to become the undersecretary for international affairs in 1999.
