Members of the Senate put partisan bickering aside for a moment to confirm three presidential nominees to financial regulator posts. The Senate approved the re-appointment of Luis Aguilar and also confirmed the appointment of newcomer Daniel Gallagher to the Securities and Exchange Commission. It also voted Mark Wetjen onto the board of the Commodity and Futures Trading Commission.

Aguilar, the incumbent Democrat nominee at the Securities and Exchange Commission, was re-elected for a second term at the SEC yesterday following a confirmation vote by the U.S. Senate late last night. Aguilar's re-nomination was backed by President Barrack Obama. His term at the SEC had expired in June, however SEC rules allowed commissioner whose term has expired to continue acting in the position for not more than 18 months prior to the appointment of a successor.

Another President Obama's nominee- Republican Gallagher was also approved by the Senate to fill the last spot in the five-member commission. The SEC has been led by a four-member team since August this year following the departure of Kathleen Casey, whose term expired on June 5. Prior to his appointment, Gallagher served as the Deputy Director of the Division of Trading and Markets at the SEC. He also served as co-acting director of the division from April 2009 to January 2010 before leaving the Commission for private practice.

Additionally, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Mark P. Wetjen to the board of the CFTC, replacing Michael Dunn. He previously served as policy adviser to Democrat majority leader, Senator Harry Reid.

“His experience and dedication to public service will be valuable to the Commission as we continue to finalize the critical reforms to bring transparency to markets and to lower risk. I look forward to working with him,” said CFTC chairman Gary Gensler in a statement.