More than 60 House members have signed a letter to Senate leaders urging them to schedule a vote on the nomination of Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.) to be NASA administrator.
The letter, led by Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas), chairman of the House Science Committee’s space panel, says that confirmation of a new NASA head is needed soon because Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot recently announced he plans to retire April 30 (Defense Daily, March 13).
The March 19 letter, says that many milestones are “fast approaching” for NASA, including the first launches of the Commercial Crew program, which will transport astronauts to the International Space Station, and the first launch of the Space Launch System deep-space rocket.
“It would be a travesty to America’s space program for it to remain leaderless at this critical time when America’s space industry is making rapid advances that will set the course of space leadership for decades to come,” the letter says.
Other signers of the letter include Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, and Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Bridenstine is a member of both committees.
The letter is addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
Bridenstine has faced opposition from senators who object to having a politician run what has traditionally been a nonpartisan agency. His nomination failed to receive a Senate vote last year. President Trump re-nominated him this year.