By a 91-0 vote, the U.S. Senate has confirmed Joseph Allbaugh as the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Senate approval came two days after a confirmation hearing in the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, during which Allbaugh said he would work to “enhance the capabilities of the U.S. Fire Administration,” which is under fema.

Allbaugh is a member of President Bush's so-called “Iron Triangle,” a trio of key players in the President's political career. The other members of the “Iron Triangle” are Karl Rove and Karen Hughes, who already have been named to the White House staff.

Allbaugh, 46, managed Bush's campaign for governor of Texas in 1994 and then became his chief of staff. Before that, he was deputy secretary of transportation in Oklahoma. He is a veteran of political campaigns in 39 states and a graduate of Oklahoma State University.

John Magaw, senior advisor to the director for terrorism preparedness, had been serving as acting director of fema since James Lee Witt's departure.