Florida's two senators are openly criticizing President Trump's nominee to head NASA, but the Alabama senator who also plays a key role in NASA's future is more open to the nomination.
Trump's Sept. 1 nomination of U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla) confirmed speculation that he would tap the former military pilot to head the space agency. But the choice met criticism from Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). Nelson said a "politician" shouldn't head NASA, according to Politico, and Rubio told the Washington political website that he and Nelson "share the same concerns."
Politico said the statements underscore the importance of Kennedy Space Center to Florida's economy. U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) represents the home of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, where Wernher von Braun's team developed the Saturn V moon rocket and where NASA is developing the Space Launch System today. That history was the first thing Shelby mentioned when asked about Bridenstine by AL.com.
"North Alabama has played a leading role in our nation's access to space since the beginning of our space programs," Shelby said Wednesday in a statement.
"As the chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee that funds NASA," Shelby continued, "I look forward to working with the Trump administration to improve, strengthen, and expand our nation's ability to explore space."
"NASA is essential not only to our national security, but also to making sure the U.S. remains the international front-runner in science and innovation," Shelby said. "Now that Rep. Jim Bridenstine has been nominated to be NASA administrator, I am looking forward to discussing these important issues with him as he moves through the Senate confirmation process."
Bridenstine has shown a strong interest in space as a representative. He has introduced legislation to implement his space vision and wants America to return to the moon before a voyage to Mars.
There is already speculation about what Bridenstine might mean to NASA. This week, reporters who cover aerospace were offered comments on the subject from a space law expert.
Milton "Skip" Smith, an attorney who sits the board of the International Institute of Space Law, has been director of space law at U.S. Space Command and chief of space law at the Pentagon's Air Force Headquarters.
"Mr. Bridenstine will advance the commercial space sector, often referred to as 'new space,'" Smith said in a statement. " Although he is sure to draw criticism from both parties due to his lack of a space 'pedigree,' he is one of the few people who can step into the NASA administrator's position and lead NASA further away from a large government bureaucracy and towards an organization that efficiently and effectively manages major space activities instead of doing them."
To see if a leaner, more managerial NASA is what Bridenstine wants and is something Shelby would support means staying tuned for the Bridenstine confirmation hearing.
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