Welcome Message

To the 10th District of Pennsylvania:

Being your congressman is an honor that I take very seriously.  I am proud and humbled to represent Pennsylvania’s 10th District and I will work hard to make sure you are proud of me.

On the day I was sworn into office, I had the wonderful opportunity to have my five children with me on the floor of the House.  To witness that historic day through their eyes left an indelible impression on me.

Their excitement and awe at the democratic process gave me tremendous hope for the future and for the job we have at hand.  With your support, guidance, and prayers we can together address the issues that affect us all, and do so in a way that represents our values, not just those of any one person.

Already, I have spoken directly to the president about Iraq, stood with House leadership to reform ethics, spoken on the House floor about the need to raise the minimum wage, and voted to ensure our nation’s safety.  But where my actions matter most is in how I respond to your concerns.  Our shared values continue to guide my vision and goals for the 111th Congress.  Some of my priorities include:

• Keeping America safe.  I am grateful I will serve on the powerful, bipartisan Committee on Homeland Security.  We must do more to keep families safe.  We must implement the 9/11 recommendations, offer more protection at our borders and increase resources to first responders.  As a former emergency medical technician, I know how important first responders are to our communities, and they need the resources to protect themselves and communicate with one another.
• Raising the minimum wage.  Already the House has passed legislation to issue an overdue increase in the federal minimum wage, which I was proud to support.  Raising the minimum wage is the first step to a stronger economy for all Americans, not just for the privileged few.  As a father of five, I understand all too well the impact of rising costs on a tight family budget.  This increase makes a difference in the lives of America’s working families and I am proud to have voted for it.
• Taking care of our military. We must support our troops while they are abroad and when they come home.  As a lieutenant commander in the Navy Reserves, I will continue to be a strong voice for our men and women in uniform.  That is why I have called for increasing tax cuts for our veterans and military families.  We have brave men and women who are risking their lives to defend our country.  At the very least, they should have the health care, financial stability and educational opportunities waiting for them and their families when they return home.
• Taking care of our district.  As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will work to make sure our district receives federal investment in long-term projects, particularly dry dams and other flood control structures so that we don’t have an unnecessary repeat of the June 2006 floods.  I will work in a bipartisan fashion with my House and Senate colleagues to see resources allocated for long-term infrastructure investments.  For too long we have invested in short-term solutions to clean up a problem.  It is time to start planning ahead and focus on long-term investments for a better future.

Each time I go to House floor for a vote, it is my constituents that I will listen to and it is their vote that I cast.  I’ve already heard from so many of my constituents with myriad opinions and differing viewpoints on national issues.  I encourage more of you to contact me with issues that are important and let me know where you stand.

I, along with my office and staff, are always open to the people of Pennsylvania’s 10th district.  This is my promise to you.

Christopher P. Carney
Member of Congress