Rep. Jim Bridenstine drew opposition for his past statements opposing LGBT rights and casting doubt on whether humans contribute to climate change. | Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo Bridenstine narrowly confirmed to lead NASA

The Senate on Thursday narrowly confirmed President Donald Trump’s pick to lead NASA, Rep. Jim Bridenstine, after a long and bruising partisan battle over the Oklahoma Republican’s qualifications to run the massive space bureaucracy and his controversial political stances as a congressman.

Bridenstine was approved on a 50-49 party-line vote, the culmination of a confirmation process that lasted more than six months and was uncommonly contentious for a NASA administrator.


Bridenstine faced staunch opposition from Democrats over his qualifications, led by Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, the ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee and a former astronaut.

Bridenstine, his critics contended, has no scientific background or other relevant experience to make the myriad engineering and budget decisions that come with the space job.

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The staunchly conservative congressman also drew opposition for his past statements opposing LGBT rights and casting doubt on whether humans contribute to climate change.

He walked back those statements during a November confirmation hearing, pledging to treat employees equally and to allow science to drive NASA’s mission.

A Navy Reserve pilot who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, Bridenstine was first tapped by Trump to be NASA administrator late last year. But his nomination was stalled by the heavy opposition.

Bridenstine’s confirmation wasn’t without some last-minute drama this week, either, as his nomination barely cleared a key procedural hurdle Wednesday.

The Senate eventually voted 50-49, along party lines, to cut off debate on Bridenstine's nomination. But Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) initially broke with his party, leaving the chamber deadlocked, with Vice President Mike Pence, who was traveling in Florida, unavailable to break the tie.

Flake eventually switched his vote, a move he later said wasn’t related to Bridenstine. On Thursday, he voted with his fellow Republicans for confirmation.

NASA, meanwhile, has been without a permanent director since the end of the Obama administration.