Kevin Warsh Senate Confirmation Vote: Week of May 11 — What Changes When Powell Exits May 15

# Kevin Warsh Senate Confirmation Vote: Week of May 11 — What Changes When Powell Exits May 15

> **Quick answer:** The full Senate is expected to confirm Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair the week of May 11, 2026 — just days before Jerome Powell's term expires on May 15. Warsh, a known inflation hawk, has signaled he will immediately overhaul the Fed's communication framework, eliminating the dot plot and ending forward guidance as early as his first press conference.

Kevin Warsh's confirmation vote is days away, and markets are beginning to price in a very different Federal Reserve. The Senate Banking Committee advanced Warsh's nomination 13-11 on April 29 — the most partisan Fed committee vote in the institution's history — and the full Senate floor vote is expected the week of May 11. Republicans hold a 53-seat majority, and at least one Democrat, Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), has publicly stated he plans to vote yes. The math points to confirmation before Powell's chairmanship ends on May 15.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personal financial decisions.*

## The Senate Vote: What to Watch This Week

The mechanics of this confirmation are straightforward, but the politics are anything but. Republicans have 53 seats and need only a simple majority — 51 votes. Senator Fetterman's crossover support makes the vote effectively 54-46 in Warsh's favor, barring unexpected Republican defections.