Longtime space advocate Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.) has been nominated by President Donald Trump to be the next administrator of NASA. Bridenstine is known for his strong support for a new manned mission to the Moon and for his belief that the United States needs to challenge China’s ever-expanding presence in space.
The nomination of the former Navy pilot and three-term congressman from Oklahoma has been expected for some time, and was finally announced on Sept. 2. Previously, Trump tasked Vice President Mike Pence with leading a re-established National Space Council aimed at reinvigorating and reasserting the U.S. presence in space.
Bridenstine has been an active voice in Congress for increasing the U.S. commitment to the space program. In 2016, Bridenstine introduced H.R. 4945, the American Space Renaissance Act, which sought to reform and modernize the U.S. space program in a comprehensive manner. While the act did not move forward, some of its elements were incorporated into later legislation.
The nomination could face a challenge in the Senate and has already prompted criticism from Florida’s two senators, Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Bill Nelson. Florida is home to NASA, and both Rubio and Nelson have complained that Bridenstine, a politician, lacks management experience.
