Keith’s earlier note: Sources report that the nomination of Rep. Jim Bridenstine to be NASA Administrator is now moving forward in the Senate along with other nominees. A vote could happen soon.
Keith’s update: The floor debate and vote on Bridenstine’s nomination could come as early as this Thursday thus allowing Robert Lightfoot to handover the reigns of NASA to Jim Bridenstine before Lightfoot departs on Friday.
Leader McConnell has filed cloture on Exec. Cal. #609 James Bridenstine, of Oklahoma, to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration @NASA
— Senate Cloakroom (@SenateCloakroom) April 16, 2018
Three possibilities here: McConnell knows he has the votes. McConnell knows he doesn’t have the votes, but wants to get opponents on record for later electoral-tactical use. McConnell doesn’t know if he has the votes, but is rolling the dice.
#2 or #3 would be somewhat out of character. McConnell prefers consensus to confrontation, and is not a big gambler.
The way to bet is, Bridenstine will have the votes, though whether just barely (Rubio comes around, or McCain shows up) or bipartisan (some sort of deal with Democrats) I can’t say.