The Senate on Monday confirmed Mary Jo White to serve as head of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, an appointment the White House expects to send a "get tough" message to Wall Street.

White, a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton, was approved through a unanimous consent motion less than a month after her March 12 confirmation hearing. She faced little opposition during the committee vote on March 19, except from one Democratic senator who objected to White’s ties to Wall Street.