WASHINGTON — NCUA Board hopeful Richard Metsger's nomination was unanimously approved Thursday morning by theSenate Banking Committee.

The full committee had rescheduled the vote from Tuesday morningafter it failed to achieve a quorum.

Thursday morning didn't pose that risk – the vote was taken justprior to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's SemiannualMonetary Policy Report, which attracted all but six members of thecommittee.

In the interest of time, Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-S.D.)waived opening statements and initiated a voice vote on Metsger'snomination, along with Kara Stein and Michael Piwowar to be membersof the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mary Jo White, to be amember of the Securities and Exchange Commission for a full termexpiring June 5, 2019, and the nomination of Jason Furman to be amember and chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers.

All members present voiced an aye vote, and there were no votesin opposition.

“As our nation's economy continues to recover, we need strongleaders in place at our financial regulators and other agencies.The committee's bipartisan approval of Furman, Stein, Piwowar,Metsger and White is a positive step forward, and I hope the Senatewill move quickly to consider and confirm these nominees,” Johnsonsaid in a statement.

Following the vote, Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)congratulated the nominees and wished them a speedy confirmationprocess on the Senate floor.

However, votes on the confirmation of Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.) to be director of the Federal HousingFinance Agency, made separately, fell strictly along party lines.Watt was approved by the committee by a vote of 12-10, but receivedno votes from all Republican members of the committee. All Democratmembers of the committee voted in his favor.

“As Congress continues to seek consensus on a long-term solutionfor our housing finance system, we need a Senate-confirmed directorin place at the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Congressman MelWatt is well-qualified to lead the FHFA in its conservatorship ofFannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and he too should be confirmed withoutdelay,” Johnson said.

Crapo, on the other hand, said that while Watt is well liked bycolleagues regardless of their disagreement on issues, and couldhave been confirmed for a number of nominated positions, henonetheless opposed it and encouraged his colleagues on thecommittee to do so as well. “This position is unlike others,” Craposaid, noting that the combined portfolio of Fannie Mae and FreddieMac, still in conservatorship, is $5 trillion.

All nominees, now approved by the committee, will now face afull floor confirmation vote in the Senate.