Tell The Senate: Reject Climate Denier Jim Bridenstine as head of NASA

Trump has nominated Jim Bridenstine — a member of Congress from Oklahoma without a formal science or engineering background — to be the administrator of NASA. Bridenstine is an anti-science climate change denier who has received more than $170,000 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry.

NASA performs critical climate science research, and if the Senate confirms Bridentine's nomination he could work with Trump to end NASA's earth science missions, and ground essential research satellites. Bridenstine sponsored legislation to remove earth science from NASA's remit, and he once demanded that President Obama apologize for spending money on climate change research. As a member of Congress, Bridenstine sponsored legislation to remove earth science from NASA's remit.2

For these reasons and more, bipartisan opposition to Bridenstine's confirmation has been growing, including concerns from both Florida Senators Nelson and Rubio.3 In a recent letter, Senator Patty Murray of Washington said, “Rep. Bridenstine's failure to accept fundamental scientific truths about Earth's climate make him an ill-suited and dangerous choice to lead the agency."4

- ClimateTruth.org Action team

Sign the following petition by clicking on this link:

Your letter will be delivered to the United States Senate:

I strongly urge you to oppose the nomination of Jim Bridenstine — a climate change denier with no formal scientific background — as the head of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

NASA must remain an independent scientific agency, and its critical earth science missions must continue.

Reject the appointment of anti-science ideologue Rep. Jim Bridenstine to lead NASA and insist on a true scientist or another qualified individual for the position.

READ MORE:

[2] “Would Jim Bridenstine Be a Down to Earth NASA Administrator?” Union of Concerned Scientists, 10-06-2017

[3] "Rubio, Nelson blast Trump’s NASA pick," Politico, 09-01-2017

[4] "Dem senator calls on Congress to oppose Trump's pick for NASA chief," The Hill, 10-26-2017

ACT: Senate vote today on NASA climate denier Bridenstine

More than 52,728 Climate Hawks Vote members signed petitions to challenge their senators to oppose Trump’s nominee to lead NASA, Jim Bridenstine. The Commerce Committee is meeting to vote on Bridenstine’s nomination—your call could help determine whether or not he sinks or swims.

It’s important your senators hear from you before Wednesday’s vote.Follow the steps below to call now.

Here’s a call script:

Hi, my name is ____, and I am your constituent calling from _____. I am calling to demand that Senator ____ vote to oppose the confirmation of Jim Bridenstine for NASA Administrator. Bridenstine’s ties to the oil and gas industry, his lack of scientific background, his denial of climate change, his bigotry, and his support for the privatization of space exploration are disqualifying. Will Senator ____ commit to voting no on Bridenstine’s confirmation on Wednesday?

1. First, call your U.S. Senators - contact information here.

2. Let us know how it went.

Bridenstine, an oil-soaked Congressman from Oklahoma, is an outspoken denier of manmade climate change. He is an enemy of all elements of NASA’s mission “to understand and protect our home planet, to explore the universe, and to inspire the next generation of explorers.”

Bridenstine’s climate denial is no theoretical problem — it is a deadly threat. Since Bridenstine’s nomination on September 2, NASA satellites and climate scientists have been critical to saving lives with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, the California wildfires, and the other climate disasters sweeping the planet. Bridenstine has sought to eliminate NASA's climate programs for years.

Let’s stop him — and let every Senator know we will hold them accountable if they support this radical climate denier.

You can also email your Senators to oppose Bridenstine.

Senate Commerce Committee Members

John Thune (R-SD), chair
Cory Gardner (R-CO)
Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
Dean Heller (R-NV)
Deb Fischer (R-NE)
James M. Inhofe (R-OK)
Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Mike Lee (R-UT)
Roger F. Wicker (R-MS)
Ron Johnson (R-WI)
Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Todd Young (R-IN)

Bill Nelson (D-FL), ranking member
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Brian Schatz (D-HI)
Cory A. Booker (D-NJ)
Edward J. Markey (D-MA)
Margaret Wood Hassan (D-NH)
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
Tom Udall (D-NM)
Gary C. Peters (D-MI)
Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)

- Climate Hawks