Note: This analysis uses AI to help identify potential outreach strategies for space science issues. Because it uses AI, it is important to understand the sources and limitations of this analysis.
Space-related committee assignments (if present), and additional sources (if present), are from congress.gov and a direct output of a targeted web search.
Opportunities, challenges, overall summary, and preparation recommendations are products of AI analyses. The biography uses AI to summarize key aspects of the member's Wikipedia page.
All AI-generated claims, assessments, and recommendations should be independently verified.
This is an experimental feature, and intended to provide guidance and inspiration for outreach strategies for your meeting. Feedback is welcome: casey.dreier@planetary.org.
Overall Summary
Representative Carey's strong fiscal conservatism and focus on reducing federal spending, coupled with his lack of a direct space committee role, suggest he may be skeptical of increased NASA science funding, especially given the proposed FY2026 cuts. His background in the coal industry also indicates potential resistance to Earth science initiatives.
However, his support for the CHIPS Act and emphasis on "Made in America" high-tech jobs, alongside his active pursuit of federal funding for local economic development, present opportunities. Advocates can highlight the economic benefits and high-tech job creation from NASA science contracts within his district, even if these are primarily for logistical support rather than direct scientific research.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider exploring how the specific NASA contracts in his district, such as those with Accelerated Moving and Storage and Great Migrations LLC, directly translate into local job creation and economic benefits, aligning with his "Made in America" and workforce priorities.
Look into how NASA's space science investments, similar to the CHIPS Act he supported, drive technological innovation and economic growth, demonstrating a strong return on federal investment that aligns with responsible fiscal stewardship.
Explore personal stories from employees or owners of the local companies holding NASA contracts, like Accelerated Moving and Storage or Great Migrations LLC, to illustrate the tangible impact of space science funding on constituents and local businesses.
About Mike Carey
Served in the Army National Guard from 1989 to 1999.
Earned degrees in economics and history from Marion Military Institute and Ohio State University.
Former Vice President of Government Affairs for a coal company; chaired Ohio Coal Association.
Voted for the CHIPS Act, increasing funding for domestic semiconductor production (2022).
Opportunities
Local NASA Science Contracts: Two companies in Representative Carey's district, Accelerated Moving and Storage, Inc. (Columbus, OH) and Great Migrations LLC (Dublin, OH), have received NASA contracts directly supporting Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) division laboratories and VLBI software upgrades, respectively. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Support for Federal Investment in Technology and R&D: Representative Carey voted for the CHIPS Act in July 2022, which included significant federal funding for domestic semiconductor production, the National Science Foundation, and research at the Department of Energy, aligning with a broader support for federal investment in high-tech industries and scientific research. (House.gov, 2022; Wikipedia, 2022)
Advocacy for Local Economic Development through Federal Funding: Representative Carey actively utilizes the Community Project Funding process to secure federal investment for projects within his district, demonstrating a commitment to leveraging federal resources for local economic benefit and job creation. (House.gov, 2025)
Emphasis on "Made in America" and High-Tech Job Creation: Representative Carey's stated priorities include "Strengthening America's Workforce" and "investing in good-paying jobs here at home, in fields ranging from manufacturing to tech to energy production," which aligns with the high-tech manufacturing and research jobs generated by NASA's space science programs. (House.gov, 2025)
Demonstrated Willingness for Bipartisan Collaboration: Representative Carey has expressed a commitment to working in a bipartisan fashion on various legislative issues, indicating a potential openness to collaborating across the aisle on initiatives like NASA science funding, which often requires broad support. (Mike Carey For Ohio, No Date; YouTube, 2025)
Challenges
Fiscal Conservatism: Representative Carey consistently prioritizes reducing federal spending and cutting what he deems "wasteful" programs, as evidenced by his votes against omnibus spending bills and his focus on tax relief and reducing mandatory spending in the "One Big, Beautiful Bill Act" (Heritage Action For America, 2022; Rep. Mike Carey, 2025-05-22).
Energy Industry Background and Climate Stance: His background as a former coal executive and chairman of the Ohio Coal Association, coupled with a low pro-environment voting record, suggests potential skepticism or opposition to federal funding for climate-related Earth science activities (E&E News by POLITICO, 2021-08-11; League of Conservation Voters, 2024).
Lack of Direct Space Committee Role: Representative Carey holds no current committee assignments directly related to space in the 119th Congress, which may limit his direct engagement or advocacy for NASA's science and exploration programs (space_committees, N.D.).
Focus on Local Economic Development: His legislative efforts and secured community project funding primarily target local infrastructure, public safety, and general economic development within his district, rather than specific federal science or space initiatives (Congressman Carey Secures $19.9 Million in Investments for Ohio's Fifteenth District, 2024-07-11; Representative Mike Carey - House.gov, N.D.).
Limited Direct NASA Science Economic Ties: While his district has received NASA contracts, these are primarily for logistical support, software upgrades, and facility maintenance, rather than direct scientific research and development, indicating a less direct economic stake in the growth of NASA's core science mission activities (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024).