University of Oklahoma meteorologist Kelvin Droegemeier finally won approval this week from the U.S. Senate to be the top science adviser to President Donald Trump.
His confirmation came on a voice vote in the Senate. He had been nominated Aug.1 to head the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Droegemeier will be President Trump’s first science adviser because the President has spent the first two years of his term without one.
Droegemeier has some experience in working for Presidents. He served for 12 years on the National Science Board under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He also was the Secretary of Science and Technology under Gov. Mary Fallin.
Droegemeier had been vice president for research at OU until his nomination by the President. He went through a Senate Commerce Committee confirmation hearing where he was questioned about his stance on climate change.
“I welcome all points of view … science rarely provides immutable answers about anything,” Droegemeier said “I think science is the loser when we tend to vilify and marginalize other voices and I think we have to have everyone at the table talking about these things and let science take us where it takes us.”
Droegemeier had the support of Oklahoma’s senators throughout the confirmation process. Sen. James Lankford, an Oklahoma City Republican, said on Twitter on Thursday that “Dr. Droegemeier is a highly qualified scientist and researcher, and I am confident he will serve our nation well.”
He will also be the first meteorologist to serve as a president’s science adviser. His confirmation drew appreciation from Sen. Jim Inhofe.
“I am glad the Senate confirmed fellow Oklahoman Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The President requires the most well-qualified advisors and Dr. Droegemeier provides the experience and ability necessary to get the job done right. I am thankful for his years of service to Oklahoma and I look forward to working alongside him in this new role.”
Inhofe sits on the Senate Commerce Commission.