James Frederick Bridenstine is the incoming administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Photo: Jim Bridenstine

The United States Senate has finally voted to confirm President Donald Trump’s nominee for NASA administrator, Rep. Jim Bridenstine, R-Okla., in a 50-49 vote. Bridenstine’s long-stalled nomination was initially opposed by senators who objected to having a politician run what has traditionally been a nonpartisan agency. Notably, Republican senators Jeff Flake from Arizona and Marco Rubio from Florida had opposed the nomination in the past but both changed their votes today, confirming the nomination. Acting administrator Robert Lightfoot is scheduled to retire April 30.

As the 13th NASA administrator, Bridenstine will need to take on challenges such as the fate of the James Webb Space Telescope, which has been delayed multiple times and is reaching its budget cap, as well as plans such as the Space Launch System, and possibly having the U.S. exit the International Space Station (ISS).

Senator Bill Nelson, D-Fla., had led the charge against Bridenstine’s nomination. In a recent interview with Via Satellite, he emphasized the importance of having a qualified space professional as the leader of the agency.

“I feel very strongly that Congressman Bridenstine does not have the right background or qualifications to lead NASA. He has a history of taking political stances that are divisive even within his own party, he has no experience leading or administering a large organization, and he doesn’t have any scientific or engineering qualifications. Putting the wrong person in as NASA administrator would be vastly more damaging than having a well-qualified leader and space professional running the agency,” Nelson said.

On Monday, Vice President Mike Pence had urged the Senate to confirm Trump’s nominee to be the agency’s administrator in a speech at the 34^th annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.