WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed six cabinet secretaries, including former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack as secretary of agriculture.

The vote came a little more than three hours after President Barack Obama took the oath of office to become the 44th president.

In addition to Mr. Vilsack, others confirmed on Tuesday included: Arne Duncan, secretary of education; Janet Ann Napolitano, secretary of homeland security; Steven Chu, secretary of energy; Kenneth Lee Salazar, secretary of the interior; and

Eric K. Shinseki, secretary of veterans affairs.