After operating for more than a year with a temporary chief, NASA faces an unprecedented leadership bind as its acting Administrator announced this week that he would retire at the end of April, with no hint that the Senate will vote by then on President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the space agency.
"It has been a long process but we are optimistic that the vote will come soon," said Sheryl Kaufman, the Communications Director for Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-OK).
"We hope that happens soon," said Rep. Bruce Babin (R-TX), as House Republicans and Vice President Mike Pence pressed the Senate for action on Bridenstine.
The problem for Bridenstine is that just one Republican has refused to support him for the job as NASA Administrator - that being Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) - and with only a bare majority, and the absence of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Bridenstine does not have the votes to win.
Since President Trump took office in January of 2017, NASA has been led by Robert Lightfoot, a well-respected NASA veteran who has drawn bipartisan praise.
But with Lightfoot announcing this week that he is retiring - effective April 30 - it's possible that NASA could be forced to dig deeper down the depth chart for another temporary leader at the space agency.
"Robert Lightfoot has served NASA exceptionally well for nearly 30 years," said Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), the head of the House Science Committee.
Apart from a couple of major issues, Bridenstine in 2017 did not cast votes on regular legislation in the House - while waiting for his Senate confirmation.
This year has been different - Bridenstine is voting on most legislation in the House, except for measures that deal with NASA.
"He will represent his constituents as fully as possible while awaiting the confirmation vote by the full Senate," said his spokeswoman.
But without enough support, there's no hint of a vote on Bridenstine in the Senate.
"The facts of this nomination have not changed," said Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) back in January - and two months later, that statement is still true.
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