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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RI Receives Over $654,000 in Fire Safety Grants
PROVIDENCE, RI - In an effort to prevent household fires and help local fire departments upgrade equipment and train firefighters, Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation today announced $654,160 in federal fire safety grants. These competitive grants programs are administered by the U.S...
Posted on 5/15/2013 | -
Reed Statement on Explosions at Boston Marathon
U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today issued the following statement: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and our heartfelt thanks go out to those first responders, medical personnel, volunteers, and citizens who were on the scene to help those in need. ...
Posted on 4/15/2013 | -
Congress Approves Sandy Disaster Relief Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate today voted 62 to 36 for a $50.5 billion disaster relief bill to help Rhode Island and other states clean up and recover from damage left in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which hit Rhode Island on October 29, 2012. U.S. Senator Jack Reed voted in favor of...
Posted on 1/28/2013 | -
$1.65 Million in Federal Funds to Help RI Fire Departments
PAWTUCKET, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced over $1.65 million in federal funds to recruit more volunteer firefighters statewide and help fire departments in Pawtucket and Bristol purchase essential pi...
Posted on 1/18/2013 | -
Reed Says President and Vice President Have a Common Sense Plan to Prevent Gun Violence
Today, after President Obama unveiled a comprehensive package of executive actions and legislative proposals to help prevent gun violence, including a call to reinstate the assault weapons ban, impose limits on high-capacity ammunition clips, expand background checks for gun purchas...
Posted on 1/16/2013 | -
Reed pushes Congress for Sandy aid
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Posted on 1/15/2013 | -
U.S. Senate Approves $60.4 Billion Emergency Relief Bill
The U.S. Senate voted 61 to 33 for a $60.4 billion Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill to help Rhode Island and other states clean up and recover from damage left in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse voted for the legis...
Posted on 12/28/2012 |
