First look: Isaacman promises he won't lead NASA for "personal gain"
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Jared Isaacman performs at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., on July 22. Photo: Austin DeSisto/NurPhoto via Getty Images
President Trump's nominee to lead NASA will tell senators Wednesday that he is "not here for personal gain," is committed to returning Americans to the Moon, and wants to push even deeper into space, according to remarks obtained by Axios.
Why it matters: Jared Isaacman — a private astronaut and billionaire entrepreneur — wants to convince senators that his approach to NASA will be determined, but not disruptive.
- "I am not here for personal gain, to favor or enrich contractors, to close centers, or to disrupt programs essential to completing America's objectives in space," he will say at Wednesday's confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee.
- "If confirmed, I am here to bring urgency and extreme focus to the mission — to work with the best and brightest at NASA to lead humanity's effort to unlock the secrets of the universe and ensure American leadership across the last great frontier," he plans to say.
Driving the news: This will be Isaacman's second appearance before the Commerce Committee. He testified in April, but Trump withdrew his nomination in June before renominating him in November.
- Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) will praise Isaacman in his opening remarks: "Mr. Isaacman will prioritize stability, accountability and respect for the men and women who make the agency's missions possible."
- "Jared, I know you are as committed as I am to American supremacy in the final frontier. The United States must remain the unquestioned leader in space exploration, and this imperative is why we must confirm your nomination as expeditiously as possible."
Zoom out: Isaacman's space philosophy became a flashpoint this fall after the leak of a 62-page manifesto he wrote — titled "Project Athena" — that was published by Ars Technica.
- In the document, he argued NASA must "reorganize and reenergize" itself. He also explored new pathways to Mars and raised questions about the future roles of some NASA centers.
- He later walked back portions of the plan, saying "parts of it are now dated."
Zoom in: Isaacman became a billionaire after taking the payment-technology company he founded as a teenager — Shift4 Payments — public in 2020.
- Some of his allies in the administration pushed last month for Cruz to skip another hearing and move directly to a committee vote. Cruz instead opted to give senators a new round of questioning after "Project Athena" circulated on Capitol Hill.
- Cruz is now moving quickly: A committee vote is set for Dec. 8, a timeline that could allow the full Senate to confirm Isaacman before Congress adjourns for the winter holidays.
The bottom line: Isaacman will outline five priorities for NASA if confirmed, starting with returning to the Moon "before our great rival."
- "And we will establish an enduring presence to understand and realize the scientific, economic and national security value of the lunar surface," he says.
