Bill Lee: “later today this body will vote to confirm my friend Jim Bridenstine to be the next NASA Administrator. In that…”

“later today this body will vote to confirm my friend Jim Bridenstine to be the next NASA Administrator. In that position, he will be in charge of rebuilding a space program that reflects the pioneering spirit and determination of the American people. I have known Congressman Bridenstine for a long time, and I know he is just the man for this really important undertaking. Let us review his record. The record shows that Jim Bridenstine's service to our country is matched only by his eagerness to press the boundaries of sky and space. Jim Bridenstine is a veteran Navy pilot who flew combat missions in Iraq and in Afghanistan. He logged 1,900 flight hours over his 9 years of Active service, and he is still a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Following his military service, Jim Bridenstine worked as the executive director of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. He even owned a team in the ambitious but short-lived Rocket Racing League. Since his first term in Congress 6 years ago, Congressman Bridenstine has served on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. From that position, he has been a thoughtful leader on American space policy as it relates to national security, commerce, and weather forecasting. The name of his latest bill on these subjects speaks to Jim Bridenstine's ambitious vision for the future: the American Space Renaissance Act.…”