Republican Congressman and former pilot Jim Bridenstine becomes NASA's new chief
Jim Bridenstine
42-year-old Bridenstine succeeds former astronaut Charles Bolden who stepped down in January 2017
Jim Bridenstine, a congressman from Oklahoma and former pilot, has been confirmed as NASA's 13th administrator.
"It is an honor to be confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as NASA Administrator,” said Bridenstine. “I am humbled by this opportunity, and I once again thank President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for their confidence. I look forward to working with the outstanding team at NASA to achieve the President’s vision for American leadership in space,” Bridenstine was quoted in NASA's official press release.
The Trump administration previously hinted at President Trump's choice as the next NASA chief. Bridenstine secured a 50-49 vote to take the office of NASA's chief. He was nominated for the post by Trump last year in September.
As Bridenstine braces up to take up the role of NASA's chief, objections loom from the Democrat side alleging that he lacks a technical background.
42-year-old Bridenstine succeeds former astronaut Charles Bolden who stepped down in January 2017. Robert M. Lightfoot Jr. took the office of Acting Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on January 20, 2017.
“I’m very pleased to welcome Jim Bridenstine to NASA,” said Lightfoot. "He joins our great agency at a time when we are poised to accomplish historic milestones across the full spectrum of our work. Jim now takes the reins of this agency and its talented and dedicated workforce. I'm looking forward to him building on our great momentum and sharing our many strengths to help us make the next giants leaps on behalf of humanity. I also want to express my heartfelt appreciation to the NASA team for all they accomplished during my time leading the agency."
Bridenstine's confirmation was certain after Trump took to Twitter complaining that Democrats are "'slow walking' all of my nominations."
The Administrator and Deputy Administrator of NASA are the highest-ranked officials of the space agency. NASA Administrator serves as the senior space science advisor to the President of the United States.