Oklahoma Congressman Jim Bridenstine’s nomination hearing Wednesday to be the next head of NASA went beyond his technical qualifications and management ability.
Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, the ranking member on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, detailed a trend of Bridenstine taking extreme positions, whether in opposition to LGBT rights, former President Obama or even more moderate members of the GOP.
Nelson noted Bridenstine's support for Kelli Ward, who has challenged Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake in primaries by running to the right of them. Nelson also pointed out Bridenstine has benefitted from the Senate Conservatives Fund, which supports candidates seeking to oust more moderate Republicans, and spoken of a need for "fighters" rather than consensus-builders in Congress.
Nelson said the NASA administrator should be someone who is not just bipartisan, but nonpartisan.
"Your record and your behavior in Congress has been divisive, and it's been extreme as any that we have seen in Washington," Nelson said.
Climate change was a big issue during Bridenstine’s nomination hearing. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz asked Bridenstine what he thinks is causing climate change.
"I believe that the scientific consensus is that humans are contributing and have contributed to the climate change that we have seen," Bridenstine said.
"Are they the primary cause?" Schatz said.
"It — well, it's going to depend on a whole lot of factors, and we're still learning more about that every day," Bridenstine said.
"OK," Schatz said.
"In some years, you could say, 'Absolutely.' In other years, you know, during sun cycles and other things, there are other contributing factors that would have maybe more of an impact," Bridenstine said.
Bridenstine was also asked how prepared he was to oversee NASA and its $19.5 billion budget, given the Tulsa Air and Space Museum showed six-figure losses in 2009 and 2010 under his leadership.
"The museum is in great shape, and, in fact, I had my 40th birthday party a couple years ago at the museum," Bridenstine said. "Sen. Ted Cruz actually came to it. Sen. Inhofe flew in the air show that we had at the museum. Those accusations are not accurate."
Bridenstine said tax forms showed a loss because of depreciation and trying to acquire a retired space shuttle, but the museum really broke even during his tenure.
Republican senators on the committee were supportive of Bridenstine’s nomination. The committee took no action Wednesday.
