Jack Reed

United States Senate

Jack Reed was born and raised in Cranston, Rhode Island. His father was a school custodian who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and his mother was a homemaker. Reed attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (BS, ’71); John F. Kennedy School of Government (MPP, ’73); and Harvard Law School (JD, ’81). After serving in the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper, teaching at West Point, retiring from active duty in the U.S. Army, practicing law, and serving at several levels of government, Reed succeeded Claiborne Pell (D-RI) as Rhode Island's 46th U.S. Senator. Senator Reed currently serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He is a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, where he co-leads the Financial Services & General Government Subcommittee. Reed also serves on the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee and is an ex-officio member of the Select Committee on Intelligence. Time magazine noted: “Reed is a serious, intellectually honest veteran and an expert on defense issues in the Senate,” and the New York Times describes him as “a quiet deal-maker respected by colleagues in both parties.” Jack and his wife, Julia Hart Reed, have a daughter, Emily.