The Associated Press

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Ben Bernanke for a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

The Senate voted 70-30 on Thursday to reappoint Bernanke amid criticism of his judgment ahead of the financial crisis and his support for massive Wall Street bailouts.

His supporters credited him for engineering a financial industry rescue in time to prevent a catastrophic collapse.

The vote was the closest ever for a nominee for Fed chairman. It came amid roiling public anger over the economy and stubbornly high unemployment that fuelled a populist backlash against Bernanke.

No Fed chairman has been rejected in the Senate.

Bernanke’s current term expires Sunday.