Second term for Fed chief Bernanke

The US Senate Banking Committee has approved the nomination of Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke for a second term.

The vote was 16 to seven to back his nomination.

The Senate is not expected to take up the nomination until some time in January.

While approval is expected, Bernanke faces an unusual amount of opposition from disgruntled lawmakers over the Fed's bailout of financial firms.

The result will now be sent to the full Senate for a final confirming vote.