https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/vice-...ridenstine
https://mashable.com/2018/04/19/jim-brid...3dS2ibJgqX
After months of waiting, NASA finally has a leader again.
Oklahoma congressman Jim Bridenstine — President Donald Trump's pick to lead the space agency — was just confirmed by the Senate to become the next NASA administrator after an ugly battle that left NASA without a White House-appointed leader for about 15 months.
That marks the longest time NASA has gone without a presidential appointee leading the agency.
SEE ALSO: Trump's pick to lead NASA reveals controversial global warming views
The vote played out mostly along party lines, with 50 votes going for Bridenstine, and 49 against. This is a very partisan result for confirmation of a NASA administrator, and it could put him in a relatively weak position when taking over the agency.
Bridenstine's confirmation was spurred on by the fact that NASA's acting administrator Robert Lightfoot decided to retire at the end of April, potentially leaving a major leadership gap at the agency.
Bridenstine's appointment was met with resistance in the Senate from the beginning.
Senators on both sides of the aisle argued that Bridenstine is too politically divisive, wasn't qualified to lead such a large organization, and has no scientific experience to speak of.
Democrats were, for the most part, firmly against his appointment from the start. Even some Republicans were against Bridenstine before ultimately voting in favor of him.
https://mashable.com/2018/04/19/jim-brid...3dS2ibJgqX
After months of waiting, NASA finally has a leader again.
Oklahoma congressman Jim Bridenstine — President Donald Trump's pick to lead the space agency — was just confirmed by the Senate to become the next NASA administrator after an ugly battle that left NASA without a White House-appointed leader for about 15 months.
That marks the longest time NASA has gone without a presidential appointee leading the agency.
SEE ALSO: Trump's pick to lead NASA reveals controversial global warming views
The vote played out mostly along party lines, with 50 votes going for Bridenstine, and 49 against. This is a very partisan result for confirmation of a NASA administrator, and it could put him in a relatively weak position when taking over the agency.
Bridenstine's confirmation was spurred on by the fact that NASA's acting administrator Robert Lightfoot decided to retire at the end of April, potentially leaving a major leadership gap at the agency.
Bridenstine's appointment was met with resistance in the Senate from the beginning.
Senators on both sides of the aisle argued that Bridenstine is too politically divisive, wasn't qualified to lead such a large organization, and has no scientific experience to speak of.
Democrats were, for the most part, firmly against his appointment from the start. Even some Republicans were against Bridenstine before ultimately voting in favor of him.
"For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan
