During Call with VP Pence, Reed Presses for More Personal Protective Equipment & Medical Supplies

WASHINGTON, DC – During a one-on-one phone conversation with Vice President Mike Pence last night, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, urged the Trump Administration to expand the availability of personal protective equipment and medical supplies for frontline medical staff and first responders in Rhode Island.

“I had a productive call with Vice President Pence.  The federal government needs to step up to assist Rhode Island.  Governor Raimondo is leading and has requested additional federal supplies.  The Vice President is aware of those requests and I urged him to grant them expeditiously. 

“This isn’t a state issue, it is a pandemic and it requires a national response.  I appreciate the Vice President’s call and I strongly urge the Trump Administration to get needed supplies like masks and swabs to Rhode Island so we don’t run short.  I will continue working with all parties to improve our response capabilities.  We’re in this thing together and we’re in it for the long-haul.”