President’s divisive pick to run NASA wins narrow confirmation

UNITED STATES - MAY 21: Rep. Jim Bridenstine, R-Okla., attends a news conference in the Capitol where he and others primarily expressed support for victims of the Oklahoma tornado. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate has narrowly confirmed the President’s choice of a Tea Party congressman to run NASA. It’s an unprecedented party-line vote for the head of the normally nonpartisan space agency.
The vote was 50-49 to confirm Oklahoma Republican James Bridenstine, a Navy Reserve pilot. Bridenstine, who has no scientific expertise and has a history of denying proven climate science, will be NASA’s 13th administrator.
Of his three predecessors, two were nominated by Republicans, and all won unanimous approval.
A procedural vote Wednesday initially ended in a 49-49 tie, before Arizona Republican Jeff Flake switched from opposing to supporting Bridenstine.
Democrats and others against Bridenstine dislike his outspoken divisiveness, his past rejection of climate science, and his lack of space experience, science experience, or any noteworthy qualifications. However, Republicans praised him as a war hero.