JIM BRIDENSTINE, SPACE AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR:
Voting 50 for and 49 against, the Senate on April 19 confirmed Jim Bridenstine, 42, a three-term Republican congressman from Oklahoma, as administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Republicans praised Bridenstine’s record as a naval aviator with combat experience and advocate of expanded ties between NASA and commercial space ventures. But Democrats objected to putting a politician without a scientific background in charge of an agency devoted to science. They also faulted Bridenstine over his skepticism that human activity causes climate-change, support of administration policies against Muslim travel and opposition to same-sex marriage.
James Lankford, R-Okla., said that as a congressman, Bridenstine advocated “space and research and trying to realign NASA into being mission-and was “passionate in trying to get NASA back on focus with a big vision and a big mission.”
Edward Markey, D-Mass., said, “Global warming isn’t theory; it is based on science. Unfortunately, Mr. Bridenstine’s words do not reflect the accepted science behind climate-change, including the very science that NASA has been collecting and needs to continue to collect.”
A yes vote was to confirm the nominee.
ARKANSAS
Voting yes: Cotton, Boozman
TEXAS
Voting yes: Cornyn, Cruz
CARLOS MUNIZ, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION COUNSEL:
Voting 55 for and 43 against, the Senate on April 18 confirmed Carlos G. Muniz as the U.S. Department of Education’s general counsel. Muniz leaves a Jacksonville, Fla., law partnership to serve under Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. He previously served in Florida as deputy attorney general, chief of staff to Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi and deputy general counsel to former Gov. Jeb Bush. Democrats criticized Muniz, in part, for his support of for-profit colleges and policies to privatize public education and opposition to Florida joining a lawsuit alleging Trump University defrauded its students.
Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said Muniz “will have the important job of providing legal assistance to (Devos) concerning policies of the Department and making sure that these policies follow the law, which given his background, he has the experience to do.”
Patty Murray, D-Wash., said, “Mr. Muniz’s involvement in the Trump University case gives me great concern that at the Department of Education, he will once again not stand up for student-loan borrowers defrauded by other predatory for-profit colleges.”
A yes vote was to confirm the nominee.
ARKANSAS
Voting yes: Cotton, Boozman
TEXAS
Voting yes: Cornyn, Cruz
KEY VOTES AHEAD
The Senate will vote on judicial nominations in the week of April 23. The House’s legislative schedule was to be announced.