Trump Taps Bridenstine As NASA Administrator
Rep. Jim Bridenstine nominated as next NASA administrator
by Justin Wingerter, NewsOK.com
U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine has been nominated to be the next administrator of NASA, the White House announced Friday night.
Bridenstine, a 42-year-old Tulsa Republican, had taken the unusual approach of making clear his interest in the job. Bridenstine’s nomination will now head to the Senate for confirmation.
“I am pleased President Trump has announced his intent to name Jim Bridenstine as NASA Administrator today,” said U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa. “As the former administrator of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium, Jim Bridenstine’s lifelong passion for space, combined with his work in Congress on modernizing our nation’s space program will serve him well at NASA.”
If confirmed, Bridenstine would be the first former member of Congress to head a space agency traditionally seen as apolitical. Most past administrators have been scientists.