A U.S. Senate hearing to consider the next administrator of NASA started Wednesday. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) says he’s not confident in President Trump’s nominee, Congressman Jim Bridenstine (R-OK). Nelson—a former astronaut—is the top Democrat who sits on the Senate Commerce Committee that oversees the nation’s space program. He spoke directly to the nominee during opening remarks.
“Your record and your behavior in Congress has been divisive, and it’s been extreme as any as we have seen in Washington,” Nelson said, at the time. “And, this Senator is wondering how does that fit with the leader of a technical agency where unity is often right on the line as to what is going to happen in success or failure of a mission or program.”
Nelson says despite the Congressman’s current efforts, Bridenstine has a lot to do to show that he’s changed his past behavior and is non-partisan. Nelson pointed to Bridenstine’s past record of ridiculing those in Congress who have reached across the aisle, like U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).
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