After considerable arm twisting by the White House, the Senate today confirmed Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke for a second term as head of the nation's central bank.

The final vote was 70-30 and he received the most votes in opposition of any nominee to the Fed's top job. His current four-year term ends on Sunday.

Senators of both parties expressed opposition to his being reconfirmed because they complained about the role he and the Fed played during the recent financial crisis. And several senators had placed a hold on his confirmation, which meant that a supermajority of 60 votes was needed to end debate. Earlier today, the Senate voted 77-23 to end debate on his nomination.