STORY: ISSACMAN: "This Congress and specifically this committee understand the urgency of the moment."
Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead NASA, faced his second Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
In his opening remarks, the billionaire and private astronaut warned senators of the consequences of falling behind China in a new race to the moon.
ISSACMAN: "This is not the time for delay, but a time for action. Because if we fall behind, if we make a mistake, we may never catch up. And the consequences could shift the balance of power here on Earth."
Republican Senator Ted Cruz, the chair of the Senate Commerce Committee that oversees NASA, sought assurances from Isaacman that he would prioritize returning astronauts to the moon.
CRUZ: "We cannot lose the moon and lose the race to the moon to China."
Isaacman made his fortune in e-commerce and payment-processing technology.
He has flown to orbit twice on all-private astronaut missions as a customer and collaborator with Elon Musk's SpaceX.
On Wednesday, he rejected notions that he is a close friend of Musk - someone who advocated for his nomination.
Here's Democratic Senator Ed Markey:
MARKEY: "Was Elon Musk in the room when President Trump offered you the job?"
ISSACMAN:"Senator, my interview, my conversations were with the president and there were dozens of people moving in and out of the room and I don't think it's fair to bring any of them into this matter."
MARKEY: "So you, once again, you're refusing to tell us whether Elon Musk was in the room that day."
Trump first nominated Isaacman to head NASA last December, but then withdrew his nomination in May after a falling-out with Musk.
He was renominated by Trump in November.
If confirmed to the post, Isaacman would oversee some 14,000 employees and a roughly $25 billion budget that the Trump administration has proposed cutting by 25% for 2026.
