Senate committee votes on nominees for NASA CFO and inspector general

A Senate committee is set to advance the nominations of two key officials for the United States space agency. The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing to review the appointments for NASA’s chief financial officer and inspector general. These two roles require formal confirmation by the Senate, along with the positions of administrator and deputy administrator.

Nominees for Key Leadership Roles

Joshua Shoemaker was nominated to serve as NASA’s chief financial officer. Shoemaker is an accountant with decades of experience in both the private sector and state government in Mississippi. He recently worked as a senior adviser within the agency’s Mission Support Directorate. Robert Steinau was nominated to serve as inspector general. Steinau has worked within the NASA Office of Inspector General for many years and has served as its senior official since late 2024.

Priorities for Agency Oversight

During the hearing, the nominees outlined their main priorities if confirmed. Shoemaker emphasized the importance of financial accountability, transparency with Congress, and the modernization of financial systems to track program budgets and schedules. Steinau highlighted three main challenges for the agency: returning human spaceflight missions to the moon, managing the transition from the International Space Station to commercial platforms, and maintaining cybersecurity.

Next Steps in the Senate

The Senate Commerce Committee scheduled a vote to advance the nominations. If approved by the committee, the choices will move to the full Senate for a final confirmation vote. NASA has lacked a confirmed chief financial officer and inspector general for extended periods, with both roles previously relying on acting officials or experiencing vacancies.