Christopher Cox, the Republican congressman chosen by President George W. Bush to be next chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, (pictured) could face a smooth confirmation of his appointment by the Senate this week, after the White House took steps to temper potential Democratic opposition.

On Friday Mr Bush sought to prevent Mr Cox's proposed appointment getting delayed, or even blocked, by nominating the Senate Democratic leadership's preferred candidates for the party's two seats on the chief US financial regulator.