Posted: Fri, Dec 21, 2001, 10:41 AM ET (1541 GMT)

The Senate unanimously confirmed the nomination of Sean O'Keefe as the next administrator of NASA Thursday night. The Senate quickly approved the nomination as it sped through last-minute business before adjourning for holiday recess. This confirmation had been recommended the day before by the Senate Commerce Committee, who interviewed O'Keefe during a confirmation hearing earlier in the month. O'Keefe’s confirmation had been delayed a few days by procedural issues unrelated to his nomination. O'Keefe is expected to start work shortly after the first of the new year.