Senate Banking Committee approves Blinder for Fed.

WASHINGTON -- The Senate Banking Committee voted 15 to 0 yesterday to approve President Clinton's nomination of Alan Blinder to become vice chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.

The panel also unanimously approved the nomination of Steven Wallman to become a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Both nominations now go before the Senate for a final vote. But it is unclear if the Senate will be able to act this week before Congress begins its Memorial Day recess, an aide said.

Sen. Jim Sasser, D-Tenn., voted "present" on the Blinder nomination, saying he wanted more time to study the record and to have a personal meeting with the nominee. Blinder, 48, is a member of Clinton's Council of Economic Advisers.

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