The U.S. Senate has confirmed Janet Yellen as the nation’s 78th secretary of the Treasury. The 84–15 Senate confirmation vote late Jan. 25 marks the first time a woman will take up the role. Yellen, 74, is also the oldest to hold the role in recent history. Yellen is the third member of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet to be confirmed. She was chairwoman of the Federal Reserve from 2014 to 2018 under the Obama administration. Her term wasn’t renewed by President Donald Trump. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told the floor before the vote that Yellen has bipartisan support and that she has a “breathtaking range of experience.” As Treasury secretary, Yellen will play a key role in shaping and directing Biden’s economic policies. The Finance Committee unanimously approved her nomination on Jan. 22 in a 26–0 vote. Republicans on the panel pledged to work with her, although they disagreed on a number …