Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)

U.S. Senator Jack Reed,
D-Rhode Island

Responsibilities

Reed oversees the powerful committee that helps shape defense policy and spending for the DoD. Each year, the SASC passes the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bipartisan nature of the committee has been marked by 60 consecutive years of passing the NDAA.

Stated Priorities

Send a strong signal to China about U.S. willingness to defend its interests in the
Indo-Pacific.
Invest in new missile defense and infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region,
including airfields, ports and depots.
Counter Chinese threats using economic and diplomatic means.
Combat risks to U.S. networks against Russian penetration.
Boost investments in U.S. chipmakers.
Expand U.S. development programs that enhance global security and stability.
Modernize the nuclear triad.
Explore expanding the submarine fleet and reducing the aircraft
carrier fleet in favor of smaller auxiliary carriers capable of hosting the F-35B.
Retire legacy systems.
Develop critical technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing,
biotechnology, and cybersecurity.
Deliver new weapon systems that keep pace with technological advancements.

Policy Quote

“I think we are in a strategic competition with China and to a degree Russia, but China is a much more formidable foe because of its economic prowess. And because it has put together this authoritarian capitalism, if you will, they’re very ingenious and entrepreneurial. The Soviets weren’t that entrepreneurial, that’s one of the reasons I think the Soviet Union collapsed.”-The Center for Strategic and International Studies, 9/23/20.)

Areas of Expertise

Considered an expert on defense issues within Congress, Reed has served on the SASC for 24 years.
Ranking Member of the panel since 2015 when he worked with the committee’s former chairman, the late John McCain.
Committee Member of:
- Appropriations —Writes legislation to fund the federal government and its operations. The committee has one of the broadest jurisdictions of any in Congress.
- Select Committee on Intelligence (ex officio)—Oversees the U.S. Intelligence Community and related agencies and bureaus.
- Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee.

Military Installations in His State

A native of Rhode Island, Reed continues to support the Ocean State’s long history of naval defense. Bases and installations within Rhode Island include:
The Naval Station Newport—home to the Naval War College and the Naval
Justice School.
The Naval Undersea Warfare Center—a full-spectrum R&D, test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support center for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, and offensive and defensive weapons systems.
Rhode Island draws major aerospace and defense contractors to its doorstep, including: Raytheon, Textron, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, Leidos, General Dynamics Mission Systems, and the General Dynamics Electric Boat facility in North Kingstown—producer of the Columbia-class, ballistic-missile submarine.

Military/Business/Political Career

Army Ranger and paratrooper. Served in both the U.S. Army (1971-1979) and the Army Reserve (1979-1991).
Associate professor, Department of Social Sciences, U.S. Military Academy (1977 until 1979), after resigning from active duty as Captain.
Attorney specializing in banking and securities law.
Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996.
Elected to the U. S. House of Representatives (1990), where he focused on education and health care for the next six years.
Rhode Island State Senate (1985-1990).

Early Years

Born November 12, 1949, in Cranston, Rhode Island, the son of Mary Louise and Joseph Anthony Reed. His father, a machinist in the U.S. Navy during World War II, was the custodial supervisor of Cranston’s school system.

Education

West Point Military Academy (BS-1971). One of only eight senators in U.S. history to graduate from West Point.
Master’s degree in public policy from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government (1973), and law degree from Harvard Law School (1982).

Personal