Aug 18, 2026
While the President and his family accumulate billions of dollars through dubious deals, normal hardworking Americans are struggling just to get by.
Jack Reed
The Public Record
Jack Francis Reed is a United States Senator from Rhode Island, serving since January 7, 1997. A member of the Democratic Party, Reed has been an influential figure in the Senate, particularly known for his work on the Armed Services Committee. Throughout his tenure, he has focused on issues such as national security, veterans' affairs, and economic development. Reed has also been involved in various legislative efforts aimed at improving education and healthcare access for Rhode Islanders.
Most widely reported
by number of sources- today I am reintroducing the Predatory Lending Elimination Act along with along with Senator Merkley, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Brown, and many of my colleagues. This important legislation would extend the bipartisan Military Lending Act's, MLA, projections for Active-Duty servicemembers and their families to all Americans by imposing a nationwide 36-percent cap on the annual percentage rate APR for most extensions of consumer credit. To The MLA was enacted on a bipartisan basis in 2006 to rein in payday and other unscrupulous lenders that targeted American troops with abusive and predatory loans. Unfortunately, the MLA does not protect veterans or Gold Star families from these exploitative practices. Our servicemembers and their families should not lose important consumer protections simply because they retire, separate from honorable service, or lose their loved ones. As such, our legislation would extend the MLA's protections to veterans and Gold Star families as well as ensure that all Americans are shielded from predatory loans. Hundreds of millions of American consumers could benefit from a 36- percent APR cap. In States that do not have such a cap, predatory lenders are permitted to offer loans with triple-digit APRs that trap individuals in cycles of debt. For instance, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that 80 percent of payday loans are rolled over or renewed within 2 weeks.…5 sources2023govinfo.gov
- today, I am joined by Senator Menendez in introducing the Insider Trading Prohibition Act, a bill that will finally define the offense of insider trading. This legislation is desperately needed because, in the absence of a statutory definition, the courts have cobbled together a dizzying array of interpretations of anti-fraud statutes, creating what is an inconsistent and complicated body of common law for deciding insider trading cases. What should be simple has become unnecessarily complex. Indeed, Judge Jed Rakoff, who has presided over many insider trading cases before the Southern District of New York, wrote in a recent opinion that ``the crime of insider trading is a straightforward concept that some courts have somehow managed to complicate.'' Consider the following hypothetical example. A financial analyst receives information about XYZ Corporation's earnings from a company insider, like an executive or board member, before this information is publicly released. The analyst then shares this inside information with her portfolio manager who subsequently trades in XYZ stock. I suspect most Americans would agree that the portfolio manager was given an unfair advantage. But the courts are not so sure. They have left an open question whether this very trade would constitute illegal insider trading. Experts agree that this kind of judicial uncertainty is one reason among many of why Congress must clarify the law of insider trading.…3 sources2022govinfo.gov
- literacy opens the door for lifelong opportunity and economic success. But in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a lot of work to do to help kids catch up. The National Assessment of Education Progress results show the terrible toll the pandemic has taken on students' literacy skills. Reading scores for 9-year-olds, dropped by five points, the steepest decline since 1990. We need urgent action to ensure that all children have the means and the right to read. That is why I am pleased to join Congressman Raul Grijalva in introducing the Right to Read Act. The Right to Read Act will require States and school districts to have policies protecting the right to read, which includes access to evidence-based reading instruction, access to effective school libraries, access to developmentally and linguistically appropriate materials, reading materials at home, family literacy support, and the freedom to choose reading materials. The Right to Read Act will ensure that low-income, minority children, English learners, and students with disabilities are not disproportionately enrolled in schools that lack effective school libraries. This is a matter of equity. Data shows that school libraries make a big difference in giving kids the skills and inspiration to become proficient and enthusiastic readers.…3 sources2022govinfo.gov
- service is a core American value. We take inspiration from those who have answered the call to serve, whether in defense of our Nation abroad or in strengthening our communities at home. Finding common cause through service is how we will overcome the major challenges of our time--addressing inequality, strengthening civil society and democratic institutions, and leaving a healthy, resilient planet to future generations. That is why I am proud to join Congressman John Larson of Connecticut in introducing the America's Call to Improving Opportunities Now, ACTION for National Service Act. Our legislation calls for a historic expansion of the number of service opportunities and an increased investment in those who serve. The ACTION for National Service Act will honor our national value of service, while addressing the barriers that limit citizens' opportunities to serve. Our legislation will set us on a path to 1 million national service positions within 10 years. It will increase the educational award so that an individual completing 2 full years of service will earn the equivalent of 4 years of the average instate tuition at a public college or university. Indeed, those who are willing to serve should not be left to carry a heavy financial burden of student loan debt.…3 sources2023govinfo.gov
- today I am introducing the Stronger Enforcement of Civil Penalties Act along with Senator Grassley. This bill will help securities regulators better protect investors and demand greater accountability from market players. Even in the midst of an unprecedented public health and economic emergency, we continue to see calculated wrongdoing by some on Wall Street, and without the consequence of meaningful penalties to serve as an effective deterrent, I worry this disturbing culture of misconduct will persist. The amount of penalties the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, can fine an institution or individual is restricted by statute. During hearings I held in 2011 as chairman of the Banking Committee's Securities, Insurance, and Investment Subcommittee, I learned how this limitation significantly interferes with the SEC's ability to execute its enforcement duties. At that time, a Federal judge had criticized the SEC for not obtaining a larger settlement against Citigroup, a major actor in the financial crisis that settled with the Agency in an amount that was far below the cost the bank had inflicted on investors. The SEC indicated that a statutory prohibition against levying a larger penalty led to the low settlement amount.…3 sources2023govinfo.gov
- among the many challenges to improving educational outcomes for students and recruiting and retaining educators for our public schools is the condition of school facilities. A 2020 Government Accountability Office, GAO, report found that over half, 54 percent, of school districts nationwide need to update or replace multiple systems in their schools, such as heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, HVAC, or plumbing. These systems are especially critical to safeguarding public health, as we learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Functioning and efficient HVAC systems and ventilation can help keep indoor air quality healthy and reduce the spread of infectious airborne viral particles. Investing in school buildings will make them healthy and safe learning environments. It will also improve student learning, reduce carbon emissions, and create jobs. That is why I am proud to partner with Representative Bobby Scott, ranking member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, to introduce the Rebuild America's Schools Act--legislation that will invest $130 billion in fixing our schools. I would like to thank my Senate colleagues who are joining in this effort, including Senators Brown, Blumenthal, Booker, Casey, Cortez Masto, Duckworth, Durbin, Heinrich, Hirono, Klobuchar, Lujan, Markey, Merkley, Murphy, Shaheen, Smith, Stabenow, Van Hollen, and Whitehouse.…3 sources2023govinfo.gov
vanhollen.senate.gov
Jul 21, 2026
This measure is a tribute to Senator Graham’s tenacious, bipartisan work in support of Ukraine.
Jul 16, 2026
If there’s anyone in the country who demands more attention, it’s the president, and I think that behavior is very dangerous to the court and to the whole system.
Jul 10, 2026
The Trump Administration is driving up energy prices and throttling back federal aid.
Jun 25, 2026
It is past time we double the power of Pell grants and ensure this essential financial aid keeps up with inflation.
Jun 24, 2026
For decades, Pell grants have been the cornerstone of our federal financial aid programs. Today, with the costs of higher education continuing to increase, these grants cover a shrinking percentage of the actual cost of college.
Jun 22, 2026
This is good news for our fishermen, our climate, and our researchers.
Jun 10, 2026
This report is an indictment of the Department of Defense under President Trump.
Jun 10, 2026
Artificial intelligence will continue to shape the battlespace of the future, and our military must be equipped with every tactical and technical advantage it needs to win in this complex environment.
Jun 9, 2026
Preventable deaths, inhumane conditions, and millions of dollars in waste are the direct result of the Pentagon cutting corners and handing a billion-dollar contract to an inexperienced vendor that wrote its own performance standards.
Jun 4, 2026
Our bipartisan bill builds upon the highly successful National Marrow Donor Program that has been a lifeline for thousands of transplant patients over the last two decades. Bone marrow and cord blood transplants continue to offer effective…
May 29, 2026
Ultimately, this is all about helping patients and families in their time of need as they face unimaginable circumstances. It provides direct support to these critical institutions that do incredible research, match donors and patients…
May 27, 2026
Ultimately, this is all about helping patients and families in their time of need as they face unimaginable circumstances. It provides direct support to these critical institutions that do incredible research, match donors and patients…
May 13, 2026
it is not enough that President Trump has injected chaos and inflation into the economy with his illegal tariffs, unauthorized war, and his so-called Big Beautiful Bill. He is also stripping protections for average Americans against being…
May 12, 2026
Vague generalities are not helping this committee make critical judgments.
Apr 22, 2026
I rise today to oppose a budget resolution my Republican colleagues have put before the U.S. Senate. The American people are worried because of the pure chaos let loose on them by President Trump and the Republican majority--whether it is…
Apr 21, 2026
Mr. President today I am introducing the Southeast New England Program Authorization Act, along with Senators Whitehouse, Markey, and Warren. Our bill would formally authorize the EPA's Southeast New England Program, or SNEP, to ensure…
Mar 21, 2026
No, I will not yield. By the way, these mandates and requirements would be effective immediately, meaning they must be implemented for the 2026 election, which, I should point out, is already underway. There are primaries that have been…
Mar 21, 2026
I will not. But this is not the way the bill works. If you review the specific page and line that Senator Lee has referenced, page 14, line 15, and just look a few lines further in that same direction--specifically page 15, line 6--the…
Mar 21, 2026
Now, in Texas, for example, to get a REAL ID, an applicant ``must provide proof of lawful presence in the United States.'' That is according to the instructions to form DL-53, which is the document the Texas Department of Public Safety…
Mar 11, 2026
23 years ago this month, President George W. Bush launched the invasion of Iraq. The speed, power, and sophistication of the American military campaign was astounding. Within 3 short weeks, the United States had crushed the Iraqi army and…
Politicians like Jack Reed
