The Senate voted 93 to 5 to confirm Ash Carter to be the Defense secretary Feb. 12.
Carter previously served as the deputy secretary at the Defense Department from 2011 to 2013, and before that was the undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics at the Defense Department.
He replaces former DoD secretary Chuck Hagel.
Senators who voted against Carter's confirmation included Roy Blunt, R-Mo., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Mark Kirk, R-Ill., John Boozman, R-Ark., and James Risch, R-Idaho.
Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the bipartisan vote shows confidence in Carter's ability to run the Defense Department.
"Secretary Carter takes the helm of the Pentagon at a time when we face critical national security and budgetary challenges," Reed said. "He should hit the ground running as he is well aware and deeply immersed in many of the significant challenges facing this nation and the Defense Department."
President Obama said in a statement that Carter will keep the military strong as it fights terrorist networks, modernizes its alliance and invests in new capabilities.
"As secretary of Defense, Ash will play a central role in our work with Congress to find a more responsible approach to defense spending that makes the department more efficient, preserves military readiness, and keeps faith with our men and women in uniform and their families," Obama said.
