Jared Isaacman Returns to Senate Confirmation Process
Renominated by President Trump to Lead NASA
The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing Wednesday to again consider the nomination of Jared Isaacman to be the next administrator of NASA.
“The United States must remain the unquestioned leader in space exploration. And this imperative is why we need to confirm your nomination as expeditiously as possible.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Isaacman had been tapped by President Donald Trump in December, 2024 for the post during the transition period, and Isaacman appeared to be headed for easy confirmation with bipartisan support. But his nomination was abruptly withdrawn by Trump in May, who said Isaacman was a “true blue Democrat” who did not support the America First agenda. He later said that Isaacman was a good friend of Elon Musk, with whom Trump had had a political falling out.
Such is politics in the 21st century.
The renomination came in November, and the first confirmation hearing was held Wednesday morning. Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX) said in a statement that Isaacman is “a passionate leader who will ensure that NASA successfully beats China to the moon. Aided by the $10 billion Chairman Cruz secured for NASA in the One Big Beautiful Bill, Isaacman will be well positioned to complete the Artemis missions that will ensure the U.S. has an enduring presence on the moon and beyond.”
“Mr. Isaacman, I know you are as committed to American supremacy in the final frontier as is this committee and the entire Senate,” Cruz said during his opening remarks. “The United States must remain the unquestioned leader in space exploration. And this imperative is why we need to confirm your nomination as expeditiously as possible. My hope is that you’ll be confirmed and in this role before the end of this year”
Responding to questions from the committee, Isaacman, who has traveled to space twice on private mission and is still the only non-government astronaut to walk in space, said large, established aerospace companies as well as smaller private businesses will be instrumental in maintaining American leadership in space.
“A lot of people do believe generally these are, these are new developments. But in reality, going back to the 1960s in the space race, NASA worked alongside some of our great aerospace companies. I mean, whether it was Boeing or McDonnell Douglas and Northrop, for sure, sir. So a lot of those names are still very relevant within the space program today,” Isaacman said. “And then there’s also a lot of new names that is, referred to sometimes as new space or commercial space. I think it’s going to take, you know, the contributions of the many to do the near impossible. Now, where NASA can play a role is consistent in the past, which is sharing its expertise and talent to help these new companies. When NASA does tend to figure out the near impossible, and it’s mature enough technology to hand it off to industry where innovation can improve upon the capability and lower cost, that’s a great outcome.”
No date has been set for either a committee vote or a vote by the full Senate, but we will likely see a decision on Isaacman’s nomination, which has bipartisan support, before the holidays.