Bridenstine to lead NASA
Oklahoma, we have a NASA administrator.
U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine, a Tulsa Republican, was narrowly confirmed by the Senate on Thursday in a 50-49 party-line vote, finally overcoming the months-long misgivings of all Senate Democrats and one Senate Republican that delayed his confirmation.
“I am humbled by this opportunity, and I once again thank President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for their confidence,” Bridenstine, 42, said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the outstanding team at NASA to achieve the president’s vision for American leadership in space.”
The congressman was first nominated for the position last September and nominated again in January, but Senate Republicans struggled for months to find the votes needed to confirm him. He faced unanimous opposition from Senate Democrats, as well as Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, of Florida.
This week, Rubio changed his position and voted for Bridenstine.
“I was not enthused about the nomination,” he said on the Senate floor Thursday. “Nothing personal about Mr. Bridenstine. NASA is an organization that needs to be led by a space professional.”
Rubio said his position changed due to the
announcement that acting NASA administrator Robert Lightfoot will retire at the end of April. If Bridenstine were to withdraw his nomination, the process of replacing him would take far too long, Rubio said.
“It’s what led me to decide to support Congressman Bridenstine, despite my reservations,” he said.
Lightfoot welcomed Bridenstine to NASA, saying in a statement Thursday that he joins at a time when the space agency is “poised to accomplish historic milestones.”
NASA hopes to send a manned mission to Mars in the 2030s.
“I’m looking forward to him building on our great momentum and sharing our many strengths to help us make the next giants (sic) leaps on behalf of humanity,” Lightfoot said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called Bridenstine “a decorated pilot and combat veteran” whose congressional tenure “testifies to his understanding of the issues facing today’s space program and to his advocacy of NASA modernization.”
Sen. Brian Schatz, a Hawaii Democrat, spoke on the Senate floor about the scientific qualifications of past NASA administrators and warned about the dangers of confirming an administrator without scientific expertise.
“Jim Bridenstine, the nominee we are considering, served as a Navy pilot and I thank him for his service but that does not qualify him to run NASA,” Schatz said. “Just because you know how to fly a plane does not mean that you have the skills and experience to lead the federal government’s space agency.”
“It is downright dangerous to have someone
without this expertise,” he warned.
Sen. James Lankford, an Oklahoma City Republican, bemoaned the delay in confirming Bridenstine and reiterated his support before the vote Thursday.
“Eight months this has taken to get to a vote on NASA administrator,” he said. “Let’s get him on his task and let’s get him going.
“We need him in this spot, and I think he will do a fine job.”
Sen. Jim Inhofe, a Tulsa Republican who previously held Bridenstine’s congressional seat, accused Bridenstine’s opponents of launching a “smear campaign” and spreading “hatred for no reason at all.” He read aloud a statement by former astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
“We encourage you to join us in uniting the space community and our nation behind this nominee so NASA can return to its job of boldly exploring the final frontier,” Aldrin’s statement said.
Bridenstine’s congressional seat, which includes Tulsa and surrounding towns, will now be without a congressman until the November election.
The winner of that election will serve the remaining two months of Bridenstine’s term and then serve their own twoyear term.
Jim Bridenstine, the nominee we are considering, served as a Navy pilot and I thank him for his service but that does not qualify him to run NASA. Just because you know how to fly a plane does not mean that you have the skills and experience to lead the federal government’s space agency.” Sen. Brian Schatz