Issues & Legislation

Jack Reed has earned a reputation for being a thoughtful, effective legislator who delivers for Rhode Island's working families.

Reed’s top priorities as a lawmaker include: improving our nation’s health care and education systems; expanding economic opportunity and prosperity; enhancing our security; ending our dependence on foreign oil, providing families with safe and affordable housing; and protecting our environment.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada noted, "Senator Reed is one of the most respected members of the United States Senate and a tireless advocate for the people of Rhode Island.  He has been a leader in protecting the rights of working Americans on issues ranging from health care and education to keeping struggling homeowners in their homes, and he has been among the strongest supporters of our brave men and women in uniform."

Reed serves on four key committees: Appropriations; Armed Services; Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP).

Providing Access to Quality, Affordable Health Care

As a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Senator Reed has supported efforts to improve the quality of our health care system and reduce costs for consumers. 

Reed has been nationally recognized for his work to provide all children with access to affordable health care.  In December of 2006, Reed brokered a bipartisan agreement that prevented over 600,000 children nationwide from potentially losing their health insurance and provided $18 million to help alleviate pressure on Rhode Island's state budget. 

He also earned recognition for increasing funds for vital immunization and disease prevention programs for children and adults.

In May of 2007, President Bush signed Reed's Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act into law.  Reed's bill establishes critical care networks nationwide so that more paramedics and first responders can get trauma care patients to the right doctor at the right time.  The law also creates a new competitive grant program for states like Rhode Island that have already begun establishing a trauma care system using national standards.

Investing in Education

Continuing the proud tradition of his predecessor, Claiborne Pell, Senator Reed has championed financial aid programs for students so that more young people can afford to attend college.

In 1997, Reed led the bipartisan effort to save what is now called the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) program.  LEAP provides need-based grants to help students attend college.  Last year, states matched approximately $65 million in federal LEAP funds with over $840 million in supplemental need-based aid, including $13 million for Rhode Island students.

Reed believes that well-trained and well-prepared teachers and principals are central to improving the academic performance of students.  He recently authored the Preparing, Recruiting, and Retaining Education Professionals (PRREP) Act to improve the recruitment, training, and retention of teachers and early childhood educators.

To help more children learn to read, Senator Reed's Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program has provided over $100 million for school libraries to purchase books and computers, train librarians, and stay open longer so that more kids have access to educational opportunities. 

Expanding Economic Opportunity and Investing in RI's Infrastructure

As a senior member of the Banking Committee, Reed has supported sound fiscal policies to expand our economy, protect American workers against unfair trade and labor practices, and promote economic growth.  Reed values responsible budgets and targeted tax cuts that won't leave our children and grandchildren saddled with a legacy of debt.  He supported the last two successful balanced budget efforts, which have regrettably been undone by the policies of the current Administration.

Through his work on the Appropriations Committee, Senator Reed has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for innovative community development projects to help improve the quality of life in Rhode Island, create new jobs, and bolster the local economy. 

He secured over $230.5 million for Rhode Island in the landmark Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) Act and ensured the state receives $2.96 in federal transportation funding for every dollar Rhode Islanders pay in gas taxes.  Reed also helped increase the funding available to densely populated states, like Rhode Island, where bus and rail programs play a vital role in helping people travel to and from work.  And he secured over $70 million in federal funding to enhance commuter and freight rail service in Rhode Island and help grow the state's economy.

In an effort to strengthen Rhode Island's defense industry, create more sustainable, high-paying jobs throughout the state, and expand opportunities for local businesses, Reed has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for important defense projects throughout the state.

Enhancing Our Security and Advancing America's Interests

A leader on military and national security issues, Senator Reed is a former Army Ranger and a member of the Armed Services Committee.  While Reed voted against the resolution authorizing the use of force in Iraq, he has consistently voted to support America's fighting men and women.  He authored legislation to increase the size of our Armed Forces and has worked tirelessly to provide our troops with the equipment they need, and our veterans with the benefits they have earned.

Reed knows firsthand the power of U.S. military might, but he also knows that American values are important diplomatic tools that can influence nations and make America safer: "It's very impressive when you're lighting up the night sky pretty quickly.  But decisive action usually involves political, economic, social and cultural action as well.  In many respects, military power buys you time to do everything else right.  I don't think in Iraq, and in Afghanistan for that matter, we have used that military power effectively," Reed noted.

Senator Reed believes the United States should be engaged in the world and play a leadership role in halting terrorism, curbing global warming, and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.  

Reed also believes that securing our homeland means more than just defending America against terrorist threats abroad.  It means providing local law enforcement here at home with the tools they need to keep our streets safe and maintaining a strong, well-equipped National Guard that can rapidly respond to emergencies in Rhode Island and across the country.

Ensuring Rhode Island Families Have Safe and Affordable Housing

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."

Reed has championed affordable housing through his efforts to successfully preserve the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC), a program that has helped construct affordable housing for over 3.5 million Americans. 

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.

Reed also earned accolades for increasing funding to remove lead based paint from homes, educate families about the dangers of lead poisoning, and train inspectors and workers to identify lead contamination in housing.  As a result of Reed's efforts, Rhode Island has received over $47.2 million in federal lead abatement funding, the most per capita of any state in the nation.

Protecting the Environment and Increasing Energy Efficiency

Senator Reed is deeply committed to preserving our natural resources.  Reed was fortunate to grow up enjoying the wonders of Narragansett Bay and has worked hard to protect the environment for future generations.

Sound environmental policy also makes good economic sense.  Rhode Island's beaches, parks and waterways are important to our economy, and Senator Reed has been successful in getting environmental groups and business leaders to agree on innovative "green" policy initiatives that promote both economic development and environmental restoration.  For example, Reed secured $1.5 million in federal funding to initiate the Rhode Island Aquaculture Initiative.  This innovative program has increased the breadth and depth of the Ocean State's aquaculture industry, helped create jobs, and promoted ecologically sustainable development.  As a result of this federal investment, Rhode Island's aquaculture has nearly doubled production and helped clean up the environment.

Senator Reed has fought for a national energy policy that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, promote the use of alternative fuels, and increase energy efficiency standards.

He has also worked at the federal level to help consumers and businesses struggling with the rising cost of fuel.  He cosponsored legislation to crack down on market manipulation which has contributed to inflated energy prices.  Reed also succeeded in convincing the Bush Administration to form a new federal task force to help ferret out unscrupulous and speculative conduct in the energy commodity markets.

Senator Reed is the leading champion of LIHEAP, a federal grant program that provides states with money to help seniors and low-income households pay their energy bills.  Under Reed's leadership, LIHEAP funding has nearly doubled over the last decade and he has secured over $150 million to help Rhode Islanders heat and cool their homes.

Working for Rhode Island

Today, Senator Reed's leadership, dedication, and hard work in the U.S. Senate continue to help make a positive difference for families in Rhode Island and all across America.  To learn more about Senator Reed's recent legislative initiatives, or to get specific information on his voting record, please click on any of the links to the left.

To learn more about Senator Reed, please see his biography or read a recent profile about his work in the U.S. Senate.