Kevin Warsh, President Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve , cleared a key procedural hurdle on Wednesday, opening the way for him to succeed Jerome Powell in coming weeks amid the White House’s unprecedented efforts to exert control over the world’s most powerful central bank. The Senate Banking Committee voted along party lines to advance Warsh’s nomination to the full Republican-controlled Senate. All 13 Republicans on the panel supported Warsh after North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis dropped his opposition following the Department of Justice’s decision on Friday to  end a criminal investigation  into Powell that Tillis viewed as a threat to the Fed’s political independence. Kevin Warsh testifies during his nomination hearing last week. The Senate Banking Committee voted along party lines to advance Warsh’s nomination to the full Republican-controlled Senate.…