As senator, Tom Carper has been involved in numerous committees, ranging from Senate finance to homeland security. Currently, Carper serves as chairman of seven different committees: the Senate Nuclear Caucus; the Senate Recycling Caucus; the Senate Finance Committee; the Environment and Public Works Committee; the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; the Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety; and the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services and International Security.
After graduating from Ohio State University in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Carper spent five years as a naval-flight officer in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, and later as a P-3 aircraft mission commander. He continued to serve in the Naval Reserve until retiring from military service in 1991.
In 1976, Carper was elected as Delaware’s state treasurer, and in 1982, he was chosen to represent the state in the U.S. House of Representatives. After five terms as a congressman, Carper became the governor of Delaware in 1993 and served two terms as such. During his sophomore term as governor, Carper served as vice chairman, then as chairman of the National Governors’ Association. He also served as member of Amtrak’s board of directors from 1994 to 1998.
Carper became Delaware’s junior senator Jan. 3, 2001. When Sen. Joe Biden stepped down to become vice president in January 2009, Carper became Delaware’s senior senator. Carper was also named deputy whip in 2004, a role he still holds.