Jack Reed in 2020 RI Senate race

On Foreign Policy: Allow in Syrian refugees looking for opportunity

Reed visited in response to a recent announcement by the Trump Administration that it plans to lower the number of refugees the United States would accept next fiscal year to 18,000, the lowest number since 1980. Last year, the administration reduced the cap to 30,000 from 45,000.

Reed opposes the cuts, as well as moves by the administration to give cities and states new powers to refuse to accept refugees.

"People come here looking for opportunity," Reed said. Reed and the advocates said that refugees are put through a rigorous vetting procedure and are in fact "the most vetted population in the U.S."

On Free Trade: Retrain workers who lose jobs due to foreign competition

Reed stated, "With an economy that has not yet fully recovered, this additional federal assistance will give these workers a chance to continue to provide for themselves and their families while receiving help and the training they need to find new jobs."

Reed requested additional federal assistance through the TAA program, a program designed to assist workers hurt by foreign competition. TAA funds go towards job training, job-search help, relocation aid and cash to workers who lose their job due to foreign competition. To be eligible for the program the US Labor Department must find that the jobs were lost as a result of foreign competition.

On Drugs: Weed and Seed: community policing & revitalize neighborhood

Four elements makeup Weed and Seed: law enforcement; community policing; prevention, intervention and treatment; and neighborhood restoration. Law enforcement activities constitute the "weed" portion of the program. Revitalization, which includes prevention, intervention, treatment services and neighborhood restoration constitute the "seed" element. Community policing serves as "bridge" to link the program elements together.

Prevention, intervention and treatment goals include providing safe havens and positive youth development. Neighborhood restoration goals include development of a comprehensive community strategies plan.