Homeland Security
Keeping America Safe at Home
Senator Reed knows that real security begins with making sure our communities are safe places to live, work, and raise a family. That is why he helped pass legislation to put more cops on the beat. In an effort to help police, firefighters, and medical personnel respond to natural disasters and emergencies, Senator Reed voted to invest in interoperable communications equipment so Rhode Island officials can better coordinate their response.
To protect Americans from terrorism, Senator Reed supported the effort to implement the recommendations of the independent 9/11 Commission.
He held the Senate’s first hearing on securing our nation's mass transit system after 9/11. He has also supported efforts to strengthen possible terrorist targets like public transportation systems and nuclear and chemical plants and safeguard our nation's borders, airports, and seaports.
Read More »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.
Key Priorities & Accomplishments
- Since 2007, Reed secured $19.7 million in anti-terror funding to help Rhode Island prevent and respond to terrorist attacks and other emergencies.
- As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Reed has focused on combating terrorism at home and abroad and preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction. He has carefully examined the effectiveness of counter-drug programs in Afghanistan and the Western Hemisphere, and highlighted emerging threats to our security, such as cyber-warfare and technological capabilities and what our government must do to address them.
- To ensure the U.S. Coast Guard maintains a strong presence in the Ocean State and to help keep Rhode Islanders safe, Reed secured more than $23.5 million to make facilities improvements at Naval Station Newport to provide a permanent home for three Coast Guard cutters and their crews.
- Reed helped bring a new Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence for Explosives Detection, Mitigation, and Response to the University of Rhode Island (URI) to develop new homeland security solutions.
The Latest
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As Sandy Heads North, Delegation Urges Obama to Speed Emergency Assistance to RI
PROVIDENCE, RI - As Rhode Island prepares for the possible impact of Hurricane Sandy, the state’s Congressional delegation wants to help speed up emergency assistance from the federal government. U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and Dav...
Posted on 10/27/2012 | -
Warwick Fire Department Receives $3.1 Million Federal Grant for New Hires
WARWICK, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representative Jim Langevin today joined with Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian in announcing a $3.1 million federal grant to help the Warwick Fire Department hire and train up to 17 firefighters. The federal Staffing fo...
Posted on 8/23/2012 | -
RI to Receive $6.9 Million to Enhance Public Safety
In an effort to enhance public safety and strengthen Rhode Island’s emergency preparedness, Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation today announced the state will receive $6.9 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and...
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Reed Discusses Trip to Afghanistan on NBC-10
Posted on 5/1/2012 | -
Tribute to Sergeant Maxwell R. Dorley
Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise today, along with the Presiding Officer, my colleague, Senator Whitehouse, to pay my respect and honor the life of Sergeant Maxwell R. Dorley, a distinguished and beloved member of the Providence Police Department, who passed away tragically in the line...
Posted on 4/25/2012 | -
Reed asks Forest Service to ready for RI wildfires
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Rhode Island's senior U.S. senator has asked the U.S. Forest Service to prepare to respond to wildfires as the state deals with an elevated risk of brush and forest fires. Sen. Jack Reed wrote to the Forest Service on Thursday to urge it to "ready its resources" to respond to any...
Posted on 4/19/2012 | -
Warwick, Harrisville, and Cranston Fire Departments Receive Over $374,000
In an effort to enhance fire department operations and safety and equip firefighters with the resources they need to save lives, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Representatives James Langevin and David Cicilline today announced over $374,418 for the Warwick, H...
Posted on 2/6/2012 |