Jack Reed (Rhode Island politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jack Reed
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Official portrait, 2020
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| Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Roger Wicker |
| In office January 3, 2015 – February 3, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Inhofe |
| Succeeded by | Jim Inhofe |
| Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee | |
| In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Inhofe |
| Succeeded by | Roger Wicker |
| United States Senator from Rhode Island |
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| Assumed office January 3, 1997 Serving with Sheldon Whitehouse
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| Preceded by | Claiborne Pell |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's 2nd district |
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| In office January 3, 1991 – January 3, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Claudine Schneider |
| Succeeded by | Robert Weygand |
| Member of the Rhode Island Senate from the 12th district |
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| In office January 1, 1985 – January 1, 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Robert Moretti |
| Succeeded by | John O'Leary |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Francis Reed
November 12, 1949 Cranston, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Julia Hart
(m. 2005) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | |
| Signature |  |
| Website | |
| Military service | |
| Branch | |
| Service years |
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| Rank | Major |
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John Francis Reed (born November 12, 1949) is an American politician and lawyer. He is a U.S. Senator from Rhode Island. He was first elected to this role in 1996. Before becoming a senator, he served as a U.S. Representative for Rhode Island from 1991 to 1997.
Reed is a member of the Democratic Party. He studied at the United States Military Academy and Harvard University. He also served in the U.S. Army as an active officer from 1971 to 1979. Since 1999, he has been the most senior member of Rhode Island's group of lawmakers in Congress.
Early Life and Education
John Francis Reed was born in Cranston, Rhode Island. He graduated from La Salle Academy. Then, he went to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree there in 1971.
After graduating, Reed served in the military for several years. He became a paratrooper and earned the Ranger Tab. He was a leader in the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which is part of the 82nd Airborne Division.
Reed later attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He earned a Master of Public Policy degree there. In 1978, he returned to West Point as a professor. He left active military duty in 1979 as a captain. He continued to serve in the United States Army Reserve until 1991, retiring as a major.
After his active military service, Reed went to Harvard Law School. He earned his law degree in 1982. He then worked as a lawyer in Washington, D.C., and later in Providence, Rhode Island.
Political Career Beginnings
Reed began his political career in Rhode Island. He was elected as a state senator in 1984. He served three terms in the state senate.
He is a Roman Catholic. He married Julia Hart in 2005. Their daughter, Emily, was born in 2007.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
In 1990, Jack Reed was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He won with 59% of the votes. During his six years in the House, he focused on important issues like education and health care.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
Jack Reed became a U.S. Senator in 1997. He has been re-elected several times since then.
Senate Elections
1996 Senate Election
In 1996, Senator Claiborne Pell retired. He was the longest-serving senator from Rhode Island. Jack Reed decided to run for the open Senate seat. He won the Democratic primary election easily. In the main election, he defeated Republican Nancy Mayer with 63% of the votes.
Later Elections
Reed ran for re-election in 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020. Each time, he won by a large margin. He was unopposed in the Democratic primary in 2002, 2014, and 2020. This shows he has strong support from voters in Rhode Island.
Possible Cabinet Roles
Over the years, Jack Reed's name has come up several times for important roles in the President's cabinet. For example, in 2008, he was mentioned as a possible running mate for Barack Obama for Vice President. However, Reed said he was not interested.
He was also considered for Secretary of Defense multiple times. This is a very important job in charge of the country's military. Each time, Reed chose to stay in the Senate. He explained that he loves his job representing the people of Rhode Island.
Committee Work
As a U.S. Senator, Jack Reed works on several important committees. These committees help create laws and oversee government actions.
- Committee on Appropriations: This committee decides how the government spends money. Reed is the Chair of the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch.
- Committee on Armed Services: This committee deals with military matters and national defense. Reed is the Chair of this committee.
- Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: This committee handles laws about banks, housing, and city development.
- Select Committee on Intelligence: This committee oversees the country's intelligence agencies.
Legislation Sponsored
Jack Reed has sponsored various laws. One example is the Affordable College Textbook Act (S. 1864; 115th Congress), which aimed to make college textbooks more affordable for students.
Political Views
Jack Reed is known for his generally liberal views. He often votes with other Democrats from New England. He is considered one of the most popular senators.
Social Issues
- Civil Rights: He supports affirmative action, which aims to help groups that have faced discrimination. He also supports LGBTQ rights, including preventing job discrimination.
- LGBTQIA+ Rights: Reed supports rights for LGBTQIA+ individuals. He has spoken out against policies that would harm LGBTQIA+ diplomats or transgender people in the military.
Economy and Jobs
- Trade: Reed generally supports fair trade policies. He has voted against some free trade agreements.
- Workers' Rights: He strongly supports workers' unions and increasing the minimum wage.
- Banking: He serves on the Senate Banking Committee, which looks into how banks operate.
Foreign Policy
- Iran-Israel War: In 2025, Reed expressed concern about airstrikes between Iran and Israel, calling them a "reckless escalation."
- Yemen Conflict: Reed initially supported U.S. backing for the Saudi-led group fighting in Yemen. However, he later changed his position and wanted to end U.S. support for the conflict.
- Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: In 2020, Reed spoke out against military actions by Azerbaijan and Turkey in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. He said Armenians have a right to defend themselves.
- Afghanistan Withdrawal: Reed supported President Joe Biden's decision to remove all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 2021.
Other Key Issues
- Election Security: Reed has worked to ensure that elections are secure and fair. He has asked for investigations into voting equipment issues.
- Energy: He supports reducing oil use and increasing the use of alternative energy sources. He opposes drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
- Gun Control: Reed supports stricter gun control laws, including a ban on assault weapons. He has voted against loosening background checks for gun sales.
- Healthcare: Reed supports improving healthcare access and lowering costs. He has proposed the "Choose Medicare Act" to increase healthcare options.
- Immigration: He generally supports allowing undocumented immigrants to gain legal status. He is the author of the Reed Amendment, which can deny entry to former U.S. citizens who renounced citizenship for tax reasons. He also co-sponsored the DREAM Act, which helps young undocumented students gain legal status.
- Artificial Intelligence: In June 2024, Reed joined other senators in suggesting a plan to manage risks from very advanced artificial intelligence.
Electoral History
Jack Reed has been elected to public office many times. Here are some of his election results:
- 1990 U.S. House of Representatives Election (2nd district, Rhode Island)
- √ Jack Reed (D) 59.2%
- Gertrude Coxe (R) 40.8%
- 1996 U.S. Senate Election (Rhode Island)
- √ Jack Reed (D) 63.3%
- Nancy Mayer (R) 35.0%
- 2002 U.S. Senate Election (Rhode Island)
- √ Jack Reed (D) (Incumbent) 78.4%
- Robert G. Tingle (R) 21.6%
- 2008 U.S. Senate Election (Rhode Island)
- √ Jack Reed (D) (Incumbent) 73.4%
- Robert G. Tingle (R) 27.6%
- 2014 U.S. Senate Election (Rhode Island)
- √ Jack Reed (D) (Incumbent) 71%
- Mark Zaccaria (R) 29%
- 2020 U.S. Senate Election (Rhode Island)
- √ Jack Reed (D) (Incumbent) 66.5%
- Allen Waters (R) 33.4%
Honors
Grand-Officer of the Order of Prince Henry, Portugal (June 1, 1998)- 2012. American Library Association Honorary Membership
See also
In Spanish: Jack Reed para niños
