Trump's NASA head, former Congressman Jim Bridenstine endorses Ron DeSantis for President

The Ron DeSantis team is drip-dripping Oklahoma news ahead of the Florida governor's Tulsa event on Saturday. Today, it's an endorsement from former 1st District Congressman Jim Bridenstine, who was appointed by Pres. Trump to head up NASA. This is a good 'get', as Bridenstine was a very reliable conservative in Congress, and a member of the Freedom Caucus (some of the legislators announced the other day have less stellar conservative credentials).

Leading Oklahoma Conservative and Trump Appointee Jim Bridenstine Endorses Gov. Ron DeSantis for President

ATLANTA, Ga. (June 8, 2023) – Leading conservative, previous Trump-appointed NASA administrator, and former Oklahoma Congressman Jim Bridenstine has endorsed Gov. Ron DeSantis to be the next President of the United States. The announcement follows the endorsement of 20 Oklahoma state legislators backing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ bid for the White House.

Tulsa Air and Space Museum to receive NASA Space Shuttle Crew Compartment Trainer

Tulsa Air and Space Museum to receive NASA Space Shuttle Crew Compartment Trainer

TULSA, OK – The Tulsa Air and Space Museum announced they will receive a Space Shuttle Crew Compartment Trainer from NASA.

The full-size Space Shuttle Crew Compartment Trainer was used to train astronauts during the Shuttle Program.  The Shuttle Trainer is a high-fidelity life-size replica of the Shuttle nose, cockpit and crew compartment of a shuttle, and will be added to the Air and Space Museum’s NASA collection.  The Shuttle Trainer exhibit will host educational programs and be used for special and private events in and around the artifact.

Reaction to Bridenstine's confirmation as NASA Administrator

Almost eight months after being nominated by President Trump, Oklahoma Congressman Jim Bridenstine was confirmed as NASA Adminstrator by a 50-49 vote in the U.S. Senate this afternoon. Bridenstine will now resign his seat in Congress to take the position; the 1st Congressional District will sit vacant until filled by the victor in the November election.

Here's some reaction to the news:

U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine:

Congressman Jim Bridenstine Confirmed as NASA Administrator

"It is an honor to be confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as NASA Administrator. 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.”

Jim Bridenstine served as a U.S. Navy pilot on active duty for nine years, followed by four years in the Navy Reserve where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander.  In 2015 he transitioned to the Oklahoma Air National Guard.  He was elected to Congress in 2012 and serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.  In 2016 he introduced the American Space Renaissance Act.  Bridenstine lives in Tulsa, OK with his wife Michelle and their three children. For a full bio, please click here.

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe:

Inhofe Praises Bridenstine Confirmation as NASA Administrator

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe today praised the Senate confirmation of Rep. Jim Bridenstine, of Oklahoma, to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Inhofe spoke on the Senate floor earlier today about his qualifications for the position. (Click here to view remarks.)

"I agree wholeheartedly with the comments that have been made about Jim Bridenstine. I was on the committee that went through confirmation. I have never heard so many things. One thing they all had in common was none of them knew Jim Bridenstine."

"My associate talked about a smear campaign. I have never seen a smear campaign like that had, never so much hatred for no reason at all. The two of us know Jim Bridenstine well. In fact, he holds the First Congressional District for the state of Oklahoma. That was my seat, I held that seat for eight years. And of course I have gotten to know him very well since that time and the things that have been said about him, again, they just don't know him and didn't want to know him."

"So we have an administrator who I think is going to do a good job. The best thing I can do now … is just to make two quotes. One is from the 2015 Space News. They named him one of five space leaders making a difference."

"Then, the mention was made of Buzz Aldrin. There is no one who is better known in that community than Buzz Aldrin. I want to go ahead and use his statement--he said: 'We heartedly support the president’s nomination of Mr. Bridenstine as the next NASA administrator wish him Godspeed during the Senate confirmation process. We encourage you to join us in uniting the space community and our nation behind this nominee so NASA can return to its job of boldly exploring the final frontier.'"

"I couldn’t say it better than that, so I leave you with that recommendation from Buzz Aldrin and I look forward to [Bridenstine’s] confirmation. I yield the floor."

During the confirmation process, Sen. Inhofe introduced Congressman Bridenstine in the Commerce Committee. View his introduction and remarks.

U.S. Sen. James Lankford:

Senator Lankford Backs Congressman Bridenstine for Key Role in the Administration

Lankford: “Jim Bridenstine has been very, very passionate about trying to get NASA back on focus with a big vision and a big mission.”

(CLICK HERE to view the video)

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a floor speech to show support for the confirmation of Congressman Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) to serve as Administrator of NASA. During the speech, Lankford spoke on Bridenstine’s extensive background, which provides him experiences necessary to serve as NASA administrator. The Senate is scheduled to vote on Bridenstine’s final confirmation today.

On Congressman Jim Bridenstine’s nomination to be the Administrator of NASA: 

"Now he has months, and months and months gone through the process, gone through committee hearings, gone through all kinds of support. The committees he served in the House of Representatives in a bipartisan letter with wide majorities to the Senate saying we've worked with Jim Bridenstine. He's exceptionally knowledgeable about issues on space. He's a great choice and they sent that letter over from the House to the Senate. Multiple individuals have written letters in support of Jim Bridenstine, including Sean O'Keefe, who is the former NASA administrator, Buzz Aldrin also sent extensive support for Jim Bridenstine including a remarkable op-ed and the support for him.

He’s extremely smart and extremely engaged and he has been very attentive to the issues of space. Serving in the House of Representatives, he has made his focus space and research and trying to be able to realign NASA into mission focus…. Jim Bridenstine has been very, very passionate about trying to get NASA back on focus with a big vision and a big mission. 

Eight months this has taken to get to a vote on NASA administrator. Let’s get him on his task and let’s get him going. We need him in this spot and I think he will do a fine job. And, it’s not just my opinion, its folks from all over the country that have risen up and looked at him clearly said he is the right person."

Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot:

Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot with newly confirmed NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine.

Statements on Jim Bridenstine’s Senate Confirmation as NASA Administrator

The following are statements from Rep. Jim Bridenstine and acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot on Thursday’s U.S. Senate confirmation of Bridenstine as the 13th Administrator for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration:

"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.”

“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."

For Bridenstine’s biographical information, visit https://bridenstine.house.gov/biography
For information about NASA’s missions, programs and activities, visit https://www.nasa.gov

Apollo 10 commander Tom Stafford endorses Gary Richardson

LT. GEN. TOM STAFFORD ENDORSES GARY RICHARDSON FOR GOVERNOR

    Famed U.S. Astronaut, Air Force Lt. General (ret.), and Weatherford native, Thomas Stafford, is endorsing Gary Richardson for Oklahoma Governor.  Among his many distinctions, Lt. Gen. Stafford flew four pioneering missions in space and was the Commander of Apollo 10, the first flight of the lunar module to the moon.

    "Gary Richardson is the perfect conservative candidate to lead Oklahoma out of our current crisis," Gen. Thomas Stafford says. "Richardson earned a national reputation as a U.S. Attorney with a unique talent for finding and prosecuting corruption —  that is exactly what we need right now.  Throughout my career I have seen firsthand how vital it is to have a strong leader at the helm. Gary Richardson has the integrity and the leadership skills to steer our ship in a new direction as Oklahoma’s next Governor.”

    Gary Richardson says he is honored and humbled to receive Gen. Stafford’s endorsement and support.

    “General Tom Stafford is an international hero and has always made Oklahoma proud,” says Gary Richardson.  “Gen. Stafford is the personification of everything we value in Oklahoma — hard work, courage and determination.  He was a pioneer of space travel and that pioneering spirit is what I want to bring to Oklahoma government.  We need an overhaul of the system, we need a process that demands transparency and accountability of how every tax dollar is spent, and we need a bold leader to make that happen.  Conservatives in Oklahoma are demanding responsible government and that is my top priority.”

    Gary Richardson is a native Oklahoman, a former US Attorney appointed by President Reagan and founder of a nationally-renowned law firm in Tulsa.

Bridenstine comments on his NASA nomination

Congressman Jim Bridenstine Nominated to Lead NASA

Washington, DC, September 5, 2017 -- Congressman Jim Bridenstine:  "It is an honor to be nominated to serve our nation as NASA Administrator. I am humbled by this opportunity, and I thank President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for their confidence. Should I be confirmed by the United States Senate, I will work with all diligence to achieve the President’s vision for America’s leadership in space.”

Jim Bridenstine served as a U.S. Navy pilot on active duty for nine years, followed by four years in the Navy Reserve where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander.  In 2015 he transitioned to the Oklahoma Air National Guard.  He was elected to Congress in 2012 and serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.  In 2016 he introduced the American Space Renaissance Act.  Bridenstine lives in Tulsa, OK with his wife Michelle and their three children. For a full bio, please click here.

Inhofe, Lankford, Dahm comment on Bridenstine's NASA nomination

Following the Trump administration's announcement that the President was nominating Oklahoma Congressman Jim Bridenstine as NASA Administrator, Oklahoma politicians are beginning to comment.

Sen. Jim Inhofe: "I am pleased President Trump has announced his intent to name Jim Bridenstine as NASA Administrator today. As the former administrator of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium, Jim Bridenstine's lifelong passion for space, combined with his work in Congress on modernizing our nation's space program will serve him well at NASA. I look forward to working with my fellow Oklahoman in this new capacity."

Sen. James Lankford: "Rep. Jim Bridenstine has served his nation as a Navy Pilot and as a US Representative specializing in satellite innovation. His background in aviation and space, coupled with his commitment to fiscal responsibility make him an excellent choice for NASA Administrator."

State Sen. Nathan Dahm (one of the several Republicans running to succeed Bridenstine):

Senator Nathan Dahm Comments on Bridenstine NASA Appointment

Broken Arrow—Senator Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) congratulated Congressman Jim Bridenstine Friday on his presidential appointment to NASA administrator. Bridenstine previously served as executive director of the Tulsa Air & Space Museum & Planetarium before being elected to Congress.

Dahm says Bridenstine’s new role at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will not only positively impact the nation, but also be beneficial to the city of Tulsa with its large aerospace industry.

“Congressman Bridenstine has served Oklahoma well the past five years,” said Dahm. “He has set the bar high for whomever follows him in the First Congressional District seat, but I know he will continue to serve this state and nation with integrity in his new position.”

Upon Bridenstine’s promotion, the First Congressional District seat becomes vacant. Dahm, a constitutional conservative, is running for Bridenstine’s seat.

For five years Dahm has served in the Oklahoma State Senate. His district encompasses Broken Arrow, Bixby, and Tulsa. During his time in the Senate, Dahm has been a champion for individual rights, including the right to life and the Second Amendment right to self-defense. He has fought for openness, transparency, and accountability in government.

If elected to serve as Oklahoma’s First District Congressman, Dahm promises to serve the people just as he has consistently done during his time in the Senate.

“I will continually fight to uphold the oath I have sworn to defend the Constitution, to protect our God-given rights, and to restore the balance of powers between the states and the federal government for limited government operating under Republican principles,” says Dahm.

Trump nominates Bridenstine for NASA Administrator

President Trump has announced his nomination of Oklahoma Congressman Jim Bridenstine to serve as the new NASA Administrator. From the announcement this evening:

James Bridensine of Oklahoma to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Mr. Bridenstine was elected in 2012 to represent Oklahoma's First Congressional District. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Science, Space and Technology Committee. Mr. Bridenstine began his Naval aviation career flying the E-2C Hawkeye off the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. It was there that he flew combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. While on active duty, he transitioned to the F-18 Hornet and flew as an "aggressor" at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center. After leaving active duty, Mr. Bridenstine returned to Tulsa, Oklahoma to be the Executive Director of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium and flew counter-drug mission in Central and South America in the Navy Reserve. He holds a triple major from Rice University and an M.B.A. from Cornell University. Mr. Bridenstine is currently a member of the 137th Special Operations Wing of the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

If confirmed by the Senate, this appointment would trigger a special election in the 1st Congressional District. There's already a crowded field of candidates seeking to replace Bridenstine, who had pledged to not seek a fourth term in the U.S. House.

Bridenstine to NASA? Rumors heat up

NASA Watch, a news site focused on the space agency, and Arstechnica, a tech/science news site, are both reporting that Oklahoma Congressman Jim Bridenstine will likely be announced in the coming weeks as the Trump administration's pick for NASA Administrator.

The Deputy #NASA Admin position was decided a month ago. Administrator was decided upon a week or so later. Formal announcement in Sept

— NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) August 15, 2017

Oh yes Jim Bridenstine = #NASA Administrator and John Schumacher = Deputy Administrator

— NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) August 15, 2017

From NASA Watch:

The exact date and venue for the formal announcement of these NASA leadership nominations has not been set. NASA HQ has liked to do events with a lot of pomp and flair so we'll see what they do for this announcement. Sources have told me that a post-Labor Day announcement was being planned but it may be moved up now. Or maybe it won't.

Looking at where NASA is - and where the Trump folks seem to want it to go - a pairing of Jim Bridenstine with John Schumacher make a lot of sense. Bridenstine's views seem to resonate well with a lot of what seems to be buzzing around inside the heads of TrumpSpace people. Schumacher has a long resume in senior positions at both NASA - so he'll give Bridenstine a lot of managerial support. Bridenstine has a lot of interest in emerging space commerce opportunities while Schumacher has a solid aerospace background - another way that their skillsets complement one another.

From Arstechnia:

John Logsdon, a noted space historian and author of several books, including After Apollo? Richard Nixon and the American Space Program, said he has been hearing the same names. "Appointing [US Representative] Jim Bridenstine and [Aerojet Rocketdyne Vice President] John Schumacher as the top two NASA officials is an intriguing and potentially very productive move," Logsdon told Ars, via e-mail. "Bridenstine, for several years, has been conceptualizing what is needed for, as he suggests, an 'American Space Renaissance' and has been testing his ideas with multiple audiences. Schumacher is a Washington space community veteran, with years of both senior NASA and space industry executive experience. Together, they can bring both fresh ideas and a sense of political and policy realism to the space agency."

The Arstechnia article goes into more interesting details about both men as it relates to potential space policy, as well as implications of the picks. Read more here.

A Bridenstine appointment would mean a special election in the 1st District, which already has at least five candidates vying for the seat, which Bridenstine was vacating to his self-imposed term limit (you know, actually keeping his word, unlike another Oklahoma congressman). A special election would likely take place at the end of this year or beginning of next year, leaving the eventual victor a mere three or four months before turning around to run for the full term.

Watch List: Oklahomans who might get Trump appointments

President-elect Donald Trump is in the midst of picking appointees for his Cabinet and various other top government posts. Among the many names being mentioned for different positions are several Oklahomans.

Gov. Mary Fallin                                Businessman Harold Hamm

Secretary of the Interior

The Department of the Interior manages about 75% of all federal public land, is responsible for conservation of natural resources, and operates numerous agencies including the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Geological Survey, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and oversees policy in American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Governor Mary Fallin and Continental Resources CEO Harold Hamm are being mentioned as possible picks. Fallin met with Trump on Monday, while it appears that Hamm has had no interview yet.

Secretary of Energy

Despite its name, the Department of Energy actually has more to do with nuclear issues than what you typically think of when you hear "energy" (i.e. oil and gas drilling, etc). Over half of the DOE budget is dedicated to managing our nuclear arsenal and cleaning up atomic-related waste. It also runs the Office of Science, which is focused on research. The DOE has some influence on oil and gas policy, as well as energy-efficiency standards.

Harold Hamm is one of the names being mentioned for this position.

Congressman Jim Bridenstine

NASA Administrator

The NASA Administrator is the highest-ranked official at NASA, and serves as the senior space science advisor to the President of the United States. The Administrator oversees day-to-day operations, manages resources, and sets policy and direction for the agency,

Congressman Jim Bridenstine is one of the rpeople being reported as possible appointees (interesting read here on Bridenstine being the "outsider" pick versus the "insider" options). Before being elected to Congress, Bridenstine was the executive director of the Tulsa Air & Space Museum, and helped with the effort to bring one of the retired space shuttles to Tulsa. Space issues have been one of his priorities in Congress.

Secretary of the Air Force

The Air Force Secretary is the head of the Department of the Air Force, and "is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including organizing, training, equipping and providing for the welfare of its more than 660,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen and their families."

Congressman Jim Bridenstine, a former Navy pilot who spent 9 years in active duty and is currently in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, has also been mentioned as being considered for this post.

Matt Pinnell

RNC Chairman

With Reince Priebus being tapped as Trump's Chief-of-Staff, that leaves the RNC chairmanship vacant. While technically the position is elected by the National Committee, the President (or President-elect in this case) will have the real decision making, and the Committee will formally elect his pick. Former OKGOP chairman Matt Pinnell, appointed by Priebus as the RNC's State Party Director, was touted as a frontrunner for the job before the presidential campaign really picked up. Priebus being Trump's chief-of-staff may help Pinnell get the job.

President-elect Trump and T.W. Shannon

Unknown

Former Oklahoma House Speaker T.W. Shannon had a meeting Sunday with Trump and top aides Reince Priebus and Steve Bannon. During the meeting, Shannon said they discussed transportation, infrastructure, poverty, education, and issues related to Western land usage. Watch his interview on Fox & Friends here. UPDATE: rumors of possibly a Bureau of Indian Affairs position?

And for one more Oklahoma, here's what the Tulsa World reports: 'Another Oklahoman, Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett, said last week that he has reached out to Trump with a request that he be named to the new administration’s Cabinet. “I’m trying to be considered with the new Trump administration to be the secretary of transportation or to be in that office,” he said Nov. 15, acknowledging that he has not heard from Trump or his transition team.'

STS-135: The Last Space Shuttle Launch

Atlantis will be making the final space shuttle launch shortly. Watch below.





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NASA to announce shuttle destinations

NASA is about to announce the destinations for each space shuttle upon retirement. Tulsa is in the running, and has been lobbying to 'Land The Shuttle' for quite some time. The live feed is below.




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UPDATE:
Atlantis will go to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The California Science Center will be home for Endeavor.
Discovery will go to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center just outside of Washington D.C.
Enterprise will go to New York City.

Other locations will receive hardware and artifacts related to the space shuttles, so Tulsa might still get something.