The Senate voted 92-8 in favor of the measure after rejecting amendments that would have required additional House action.

President Barack Obamas choice of Weiss, an investment banker at Lazard Ltd., has put him at the center of an ideological fight within the Democratic Party over the finance industrys clout in Washington.

Democrats made a mistake by passing President Barack Obamas health-care law in 2010 instead of first focusing more directly on helping the middle class, third-ranking U.S. Senate Democrat Charles Schumer said.

Lawmakers are discussing a package that could increase the U.S. budget deficit by more than $400 billion over a decade.

Republicans in control of the Senate will try to force a politically weakened President Barack Obama to accept changes to his health care law, back off on tough environmental rules and nominate judges they endorse.

New Jersey voters last November approved a constitutional amendment that will increase the states minimum wage by 13 cents an hour -- to $8.38 -- starting in January 2015.

Senators voted not to advance the measure to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving the craft-store chain.

The Senate is preparing to confirm Stanley Fischer to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, bolstering its membership as the Fed winds down the most aggressive easing in its 100-year history.