Critics of President Donald Trump's naming of Rep. Jim Bridenstine, R-Okla., as his nominee for administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration say that he is a political appointment, has no scientific background, and has expressed doubt as to whether humans contribute to climate change, according to HuffPost.

Both of Florida's senators, Marco Rubio, a Republican, and Bill Nelson, a Democrat, said they oppose Bridenstine's nomination. "I just think it could be devastating for the space program," Rubio told Politico.

"The head of NASA ought to be a space professional, not a politician," Nelson said, Politico reported.

Bridenstine must be confirmed by the Senate to take the position.

The congressman is a former combat pilot for the Navy, and was the executive director of the Air and Space Museum and Planetarium in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He has been a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. However, he has no science or engineering in his background, according to HuffPost.

In 2013, Bridenstine sponsored a bill to cut funding on climate change studies by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.



"Climate change due to global warming is one of the greatest threats facing us as a species. The leader of the world's premier space agency should at the very bare minimum be willing to admit that it exists," said astronomer Phil Plait Monday on Syfy.com.

Neuroscientist and writer Ubadah Sabbagh posted a video on Twitter of Bridenstine giving a speech before Congress that called for an apology from then-President Barack Obama for funding climate research.

I present to you the guy Trump's named to run NASA giving a speech on the House floor demanding Obama apologize for funding climate research pic.twitter.com/6kEsv5casz — Ubadah Sabbagh (@Neubadah) September 3, 2017

Phil Larson, a White House space adviser during Obama's administration, had a different viewpoint. He called Bridenstine "a pretty prudent, pragmatic guy," according to The New York Times.