About Jack Reed

Senator Jack Reed Printable Bio »

Throughout his career in the United States Congress, Jack Reed has been an advocate for working-class families.

A leader on defense, education, and health care issues, Reed is a senior member of the Armed Services Committee and a former Army Ranger. In 2006, Time magazine noted: "Reed is a serious, intellectually honest veteran and an expert on defense issues in the Senate."

In 1996, the people of Rhode Island elected Reed to succeed Claiborne Pell (D-RI) as Rhode Island's 47th United States Senator.

Prior to serving in the Senate, Reed was a three-term Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District. During his tenure in the House, Reed championed child health care, public libraries, and campaign finance reform. He also helped strengthen our national defense and found innovative ways to promote Rhode Island's economy. During his first term in Congress, Reed was described by the Boston Globe as "a relentless advocate for his home state."

As Rhode Island's senior senator, Reed continues to work tirelessly to secure federal funding for the Ocean State, such as mass transit funding and community development projects. He has also played a pivotal role in safeguarding our nation. In an effort to reduce crime at home, he helped pass legislation to put more cops on the streets and enact common-sense gun safety laws. To ensure that America stays strong abroad, he has sought to increase the size of our armed forces.

In addition to his leadership on national defense issues, Senator Reed is widely recognized for his work on education and health care policy. As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Reed has supported efforts to expand access to affordable health care. He has also worked to increase the availability of financial aid for students who have the talent but not the resources to go to college.

As the top Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee and a member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, Reed's key economic priorities include promoting responsible budgets, bringing business to Rhode Island, and strengthening the national economy.

Jack Reed was born and raised in Cranston, Rhode Island. His father, Joe, was a Cranston school janitor who worked his way up to become custodial supervisor of the city's school system. Both his father and his mother, Mary, taught him the values of hard work, integrity, commitment, and respect for all people.

His parents' lessons helped Reed excel at LaSalle Academy in Providence and earned him an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1971.

After graduating from West Point and receiving an active duty commission in the United States Army, Reed attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University where he received a Masters of Public Policy. Reed, an Army Ranger and a paratrooper, served in the 82nd Airborne Division as an Infantry Platoon leader, a Company Commander, and a Battalion Staff Officer. He returned to West Point in 1978 as an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences.

Reed resigned from the Army as a Captain in 1979 and enrolled at Harvard Law School. In 1982, he graduated from Harvard and served a year as an associate with the Washington, DC law firm of Sutherland, Asbill, and Brennan. In 1983, he returned to Rhode Island and joined the Providence law firm of Edwards and Angell.

Reed was elected to the Rhode Island State Senate in 1984 and served for three terms.

Reed is married to Julia Hart. They live in Jamestown, Rhode Island.

Today, Senator Reed continues to utilize the lessons he learned growing up in Cranston, which were deepened in the Army and tested in the halls of Congress, to stand up and speak out for the hard-working families who are the heart and soul of our country.

To learn more about Senator Reed, please see the Reed File.