Senator Reed steps in as Senate Armed Services chairman In his new role, Rhode Island Democrat will face issues ranging from the expanding Chinese military to extremism within the US ranks By Edward Fitzpatrick Globe Staff,Updated March 16, 2021, 8:41 p.m. Email to a Friend Democratic US Senator Jack Reed at the US Capitol.STEFANI REYNOLDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images PROVIDENCE â In many ways, US Senator Jack Reed now has his dream job: After 23 years on the Senate Armed Services Committee, the West Point graduate is finally chairman of the powerful panel. But in that post, he will face some nightmarish realities, ranging from Russian provocation and a expanding Chinese military on the world stage to extremism within the ranks of the US military.