A party-line vote of 14-13 in the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday moved Oklahoma Congressman Jim Bridenstine’s nomination to be the next NASA administrator to the full senate.
The vote came a week after Democrats on the committee voiced their objections to his nomination, with one Senator calling him ‘divisive.’
But Sen. Jim Inhofe was one of the 14 Republicans who voted to send Bridenstine’s nomination to the full senate.
“I am pleased the Commerce committee rightfully advanced the nomination of Jim Bridenstine—friend, colleague and follow pilot—to be NASA Administrator,” said the Senator. “Jim is dedicated to serving his country and is a recognized leader on space and weather issues, making him particularly qualified to fill this position.”
He said he’s looking forward to Bridenstine’s “swift consideration by the full Senate.”
Prior to the committee vote, Bridenstine had offered pledges of continuity for several of the agency’s key programs, according to a report by Space News.
His pledges came in response to questions submitted by several members of the committee including Sen. Inhofe. Among his answers were support for the Space Launch System and Orion programs.
“SLS and Orion will serve as the backbone to our country’s Deep Space exploration architecture,” Bridenstine said in response to a question from Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) about how those programs would fit into NASA’s long-term exploration plans. He used the same language in similar questions from other senators about the future of those programs.space exploration.”
Bridenstine also did not commit to an extension of the International Space Station beyond 2024, in response to another question from Sen. Mike Lee. “The decision of whether to extend United States support of the ISS beyond 2024 is a complicated challenge,” he said, describing factors ranging from the research utility of the facility to budget issues.
“If I am confirmed as NASA Administrator,” he concluded, “I intend to work with Congress to weigh the options and to determine the best path forward for the ISS.”
