The Senate narrowly voted to clear the way for President Donald Trump’s nominee for NASA administrator on Wednesday afternoon—but not before Arizona Republican Jeff Flake used his leverage as the tie-breaking vote to petition leadership on a separate issue.
Oklahoma Republican Jim Bridenstine’s future as Trump’s NASA administrator briefly appeared precarious when a procedural Senate vote to limit debate on his confirmation became tied 49-49, with all Democrats and one Republican—Flake—voting against the measure. Under such circumstances, Vice President Mike Pence would typically cast the tie-breaking vote, but he was in Florida.
Flake initially cast his vote against Bridenstine before ultimately switching in Bridenstine’s favor, telling reporters afterward that he “just needed to have some extra discussions, some extra time” to work through the matter.
But Senate GOP Conference Chairman John Thune told THE WEEKLY STANDARD that Flake’s vote was calculated.
“He was negotiating on another matter,” said Thune. “He knew, I think, that there was going to be a one-vote margin here, so I think he saw it as an opportunity to get some leverage.”
What was he negotiating for?
“You’ll have to ask him,” Thune answered.
Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn told NBC’s Leigh Ann Caldwell that Flake wanted to talk to Trump’s Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo about travel restrictions to Cuba. “GOP leaders assured him he’d get to, so he switched his vote,” Caldwell reported.
In his conversation with reporters after the vote, an elusive Flake would not say whether he made demands related to immigration, one of his foremost priorities. According to HuffPost’s Igor Bobic, when asked whether he had received any assurances from leadership, Flake responded, “We’ll see.” And pressed for specifics on what topic he was negotiating about, Flake answered cryptically, “Just on issues.”
But did he get what he wanted today?
“Time will tell,” Flake answered.
