The Senate voted 52-44 Wednesday to confirm Paul Atkins as the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Atkins is expected to be friendlier toward the financial industry than the previous SEC chair, Gary Gensler. A Biden administration appointee, Gensler drew strong criticism from Republicans and many Wall Street firms and trade groups for pursuing what they called a too aggressive and expansive agenda.
Atkins, a former SEC commissioner and a longtime financial industry consultant, was tapped in December by Donald Trump for the position. In his March 27 confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee, Atkins indicated he would streamline the agency’s regulatory activity.
