Oklahoma U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine moved a step closer Wednesday to leading the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Bridenstine’s nomination to be the next NASA administrator came up for a vote before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, where he faced a contentious hearing a week ago.
A 14–13 vote fell strictly along party lines in the committee, sending Bridenstine's nomination to the full U.S. Senate.
Ranking Member Bill Nelson, a Democrat from Florida, has been an outspoken critic of Bridenstine’s nomination and reiterated his doubts about the military pilot’s science and engineering qualifications for the job.
"When we are putting Americans on American rockets, one of which is the beginning of the Mars program, this is one of the most challenging positions in the entire federal government," Nelson said. "And it is a position where a failure of leadership can quite literally mean the difference between life and death."
Democrats also doubt Bridenstine can keep politics out of NASA programs.
The Senate could confirm Bridenstine as NASA administrator on a party line vote as well. Nelson, however, may look to flip some Republican votes. Before Wednesday’s vote, Nelson brought up a statement Republican Sen. Marco Rubio made about Bridenstine.
"Quote, 'I just think it could be devastating for the space program.' And he further said, quote, 'It's the one federal mission which has largely been free of politics, and it's at a critical juncture in its history,' end of quote," Nelson said.
