Christopher Paul Carney (born March 2, 1959) is an American politician who was the U.S. representative for from 2007 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Carney is also an associate professor of political science at Penn State Worthington Scranton, where he has taught since 1992. In 2011, he was appointed as director of homeland security and policy strategy for BAE Systems.
Early life, education and career
Carney grew up in Coggon, Iowa, and earned his bachelor's degree from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, received his master's from the University of Wyoming, and completed his Ph.D in political science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Carney has been an associate professor of political science at Penn State Worthington Scranton since 1992.
From 2002 to 2004, Carney served as a counterterrorism analyst for the Bush administration, under Douglas Feith in the Office of Special Plans and at the Defense Intelligence Agency, researching links between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein.
From 2013-2016, Carney was a Commissioner for the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC). He was selected by President Obama to serve as one of nine Commissioners to the blue ribbon, bipartisan Commission.
Carney worked as a Senior Intelligence Specialist for the National Aviation Intelligence Integration Office (within the purview of the Director of National Intelligence) from 2016-2017.
In 2019, Carney joined Nossaman LLP’s Washington, D.C. office, where he serves as a Senior Policy Advisor.
In 2020, he became a Board Member at America’s Edge.
Military service
A Commander (select) in the United States Naval Reserve, Carney served multiple tours overseas and was activated for operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. He was direct commissioned as an Ensign in 1995. He served as Senior Terrorism and Intelligence Advisor at the Pentagon.
He is the recipient of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Joint Service Achievement Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. His awards also include the Naval Rifle Marksman ribbon and the Naval Pistol Expert Medal.
In September 2007, Congressman Carney went on active duty with the Navy for his two weeks of service as a Lt. Commander in the reserves. On active duty, Carney worked on the "Predator" project near Norfolk, VA.
In July 2008, Carney was promoted from Lieutenant Commander to Commander (select) in the Naval Reserve. He was one of just two members of the House to serve in the military reserves.
During his unsuccessful 2010 re-election campaign Carney revealed that he had served as an interrogator at Guantanamo. Carol Rosenberg, writing in the Miami Herald, wrote that although Carney had traveled with fellow Congressional Representatives on fact-finding trips to Guantanamo, he had never informed them that he himself had served there.
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee assignments
Committee on Homeland Security
Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight (Chairman) Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management
In January 2007, Carney was named Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, a surprising achievement for a freshman Congressman.
Political positions
Social Security
While opposing proposals to privatize Social Security, he said he is open to the idea of adding private accounts in addition to (not at the expense of) traditional defined benefits.
Research
He supports federal investment in stem cell research, and is an advocate of universal healthcare.
Gun Rights
He supports gun rights.
Education
In 2009, Carney voted for H.R 2187, the 21st Century Green Schools Act, to make grants to states for the modernization, renovation, or repair of public schools, including early learning facilities and charter schools, to make them safe, healthy, high-performing, and technologically up-to-date.
War in Iraq
Carney made change of direction in Iraq policy a cornerstone of his 2006 campaign, often decrying the Bush Administration's war policies. He voted to reauthorize funding for military action in Iraq with H.R. 2206. In 2007, he voted against H.R. 2956, which would have required the removal of all US personnel from Iraq within only 120 days. He stated that since the US was already at war in Iraq, the top priority should be winning the war.