Washington (AFP) – The US Senate on Tuesday confirmed Lael Brainard to serve as the Federal Reserve’s vice chair, but Covid infections among Democratic senators allowed Republicans to block a vote on Lisa Cook becoming the first Black woman on the board. Brainard, who has served on the Fed board since 2014, was promoted to her new post by a 52-43 vote with the support of seven Republicans. But the upper house of Congress failed to hold a final vote on Cook’s nomination, amid Republican opposition and because Democrats, who hold a slim edge, were unable to force the issue since two senators ann…