Senate science committee moves NASA Administrator confirmation to full vote

Wednesday morning, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted to submit Jared Isaacman‘s nomination for NASA Administrator favorably to the full Senate. This is the final step before Isaacman can be confirmed as the new administrator.

Both Ted Cruz, committee chair, and Maria Cantwell, committee ranking member, made statements supporting Isaacman’s nomination to the NASA post. This pretty much sealed the deal for Isaacman to move forward; however, the decision wasn’t unanimous, instead ending in a 19-9 vote.

The committee’s members who voted against Isaacman’s nomination didn’t make any comments as to why they would not support it. However, with some cross-aisle support, Isaacman’s nomination is likely a guarantee once it hits the full Senate floor.

The primary concern of the Senate committee is to ensure Congress’ mandate to return to the Moon and set up a permanent presence is continued. While President Trump has support in Congress for many of his agendas, it doesn’t sound like his pivot to a mission to Mars is one of them.

The proposed budget cuts have also proven to be unpopular. What has been an interesting move is that Isaacman hasn’t come out in support of or against any proposed budget cuts but has stated he can do everything with a smaller budget.

There are many rumors of potential plans for NASA going around; however, we won’t know for certain until Isaacman is confirmed, a budget is passed, and work begins. The Moon could still become a focus if Congress fights hard enough, or we could see a complete move to Mars.