President Trump’s pick to lead NASA just barely advanced in the Senate on Wednesday, after it was stuck in a 49-49 tie that Vice President Mike Pence could not have broken because he’s out of town.
The Senate voted 50-48 to end debate on former Rep. Jim Bridenstine, R-Okla., setting up a final confirmation vote.
The vote had been stuck in a 49-49 tie for several minutes, after Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., voted against Bridenstine.
Two senators were out, Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., which left just 98 senators voting. Pence, who could have broken the tie, was in Florida with Trump.
After several minutes, however, Flake changed his vote, allowing the nominee to advance. Flake didn’t explain his vote change, but told reporters after the flip-flop that he wanted “extra time” to consider the nominee.
The vote was held up for weeks as both of Florida’s senators, including Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, opposed Bridenstine. They argued that Bridenstine was a politician who might politicize NASA, although Rubio was also thought to be angered over how Bridenstine opposed him during the 2016 GOP primary.
This week, however, Rubio signaled he could support him, and voted for him.
