NASA finally has a permanent administrator — 15 months into Trump’s presidency

NASA has a full-time administrator at last. Today, the Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee, Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-OK), for the job, voting 50 to 49 along party lines. The vote finally brings to an end the longest period the space agency has gone without a permanent leader.

It was a close call for Bridenstine on the Senate floor today. With Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) absent, the vote came down to Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who has been away from the Senate after recently having a baby, and Sen.