Issue Position: Federal Funding for RI

Issue Position

As a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, Reed has secured critical funds to generate jobs and economic opportunities throughout Rhode Island. He has also voted to make Congressionally-directed spending known as "earmarks" more transparent.

Today, Senator Reed continues to work with his colleagues in the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives to secure vital funding for cities and towns, non-profits, hospitals, colleges and universities, hospitals, and military facilities across the state.

These federal resources enable Rhode Island to expand community development programs, improve our transportation infrastructure, provide social services and health care, restore historical landmarks, protect the environment, and help strengthen our national defense.

Key Priorities & Accomplishments

In response to the great recession of 2008, Reed voted for the Recovery Act, which provided over $2 billion to help communities throughout Rhode Island prevent layoffs, invest in our infrastructure, and fund innovative research to create jobs.
Reed helped write the last major surface transportation bill (known as "SAFETEA-LU"), which included over $1.2 billion for Rhode Island and ensured the state receives about $3 in federal highway funding for every $1 Rhode Islanders pay in gas taxes.
In an effort to expand our state's freight rail service, create jobs, and grow Rhode Island's economy, Reed worked for over a decade to secure $55 million to make the Rhode Island Freight Rail Improvement Project (FRIP) a reality. This improvement has helped quadruple automobile imports at Quonset Point. He also secured over $32.6 million to extend commuter rail to Wickford Junction in North Kingstown.
Reed secured $2.25 million in federal funding, which together with $1.4 million from RIDEM and $800,000 from the City of Warwick helped preserve 41 acres of pristine shoreline at Rocky Point.

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