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. 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 46th 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. Reed has been described by the Boston Globe as "a relentless advocate for his home state."

A member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, which controls the purse strings of Congress, 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 police officers on the streets and enact common-sense gun safety laws. To ensure that America stays strong abroad, he led the effort in Congress to increase the size of our Armed Forces.

As a senior 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 creating high-paying, sustainable jobs, and strengthening the national economy.

In June of 2008 the New York Times noted: "Mr. Reed has had a passion for housing issues throughout his career. Beginning in the early 1980s when, as a young lawyer, he did pro bono work for Amos House, a Providence soup kitchen and social service agency, and continuing after his election to the Rhode Island Assembly, the House and finally the Senate."

Recently, he co-authored legislation to create a new affordable housing trust fund, improve consumer disclosures on mortgages, and address the needs of middle-class families who are struggling with the fallout from the housing crisis.

Jack Reed was born and raised in Cranston, Rhode Island. His father, Joe, was a World War II veteran and 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 anappointment 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.

Senator Reed is married to Julia Hart Reed. They have a daughter, Emily, and make their home 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.

Learn more "Fast Facts" about Senator Reed or view a recent profile.