Queens' Jack Lew Confirmed as Treasury Secretary

Queens' Jack Lew,the former White House chief of staff, was confirmed by the Senate Wednesday evening as the nation's treasury secretary, The New York Times reported.

Lew, who is from Forest Hills, replaced the outgoing Timothy Geithner and was confirmed by a 71-26 vote.

The Times noted that Lew's confirmation was smooth sailing compared to that of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, a former Republican senator who had made enemies in his own party.

Lew faced his own obstacles, including questions about his time at CitiGroup, and a possible bonus he received because of his decision to take a government job — at the time the directorship of the Office of Management and Budget.

Twenty Republicans joined 51 Democrats in voting to confirm Lew. Among those voting against the Forest Hills native was independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who thought Lew was too close to Wall Street.