Sen. Patty Murray Patricia (Patty) Lynn MurrayTrump health officials grilled over reports of politics in COVID-19 response CDC director pushes back on Caputo claim of 'resistance unit' at agency The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep MORE (D-Wash.) is urging Congress to reject President Trump’s pick for head of NASA, citing what she believes to be the nominee’s climate change denial and anti-LGBTQ views.

In a letter to the chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Murray called for the committee to vote against Rep. Jim Bridenstine James (Jim) Frederick BridenstineNASA is in the market for moon rocks Overnight Defense: Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing l Air Force reveals it secretly built and flew new fighter jet l Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Trump offers promises for the Space Force and NASA for the second term MORE’s (R-Okla.) nomination, saying that he would move the country “backwards not forwards.”

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“Rep. Bridenstine’s background makes him an extremely concerning choice to lead this critical agency and its 19,000 diverse employees,” Murray wrote. “Rep. Bridenstine’s denial of climate science and consistent opposition to equal rights for women, immigrants, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals should disqualify him from consideration.”

Trump nominated Bridenstine last month to lead NASA. Advocates say he has a strong record on space policy, but the nomination received criticism on both sides of he aisle, with Sen. Marco Rubio Marco Antonio RubioMurky TikTok deal raises questions about China's role Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Florida senators pushing to keep Daylight Savings Time during pandemic MORE (R-Fla.) indicating he is too partisan for the position.

Murray is the first senator to formally call for opposition to his nomination, according to the Washington Blade.

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Murray cited several instances where Bridenstine has rejected the concept of global warming, calling his “failure to accept fundamental scientific truths” a “dangerous choice” to have jurisdiction over NASA’s requested $1.8 billion budget for climate science missions.

She also slammed Bridenstine for what she said was his implication that LGBTQ individuals are sexually immoral in a May 2013 speech about the Boy Scouts changing their rules on homosexual Scout leaders. She also criticized him for expressing disappointment in the Supreme Court's ruling legalizing same-sex marriage and support of Trump’s travel ban.

“NASA has played a singular role in American life,” Murray wrote. “The agency has inspired countless young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. ... Rep. Bridenstine’s denial of fundamental scientific facts and long record of bigoted and hateful statements run counter to this legacy.”