Reed Statement on Secretary’s Hegseth “Arsenal of Freedom Tour” Stop at Quonset

PROVIDENCE, RI –With U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth scheduled to stop at Quonset today as part of his “Arsenal of Freedom Tour,” where he will learn more about America’s shipyards and defense manufacturing facilities, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:
“It is a positive thing that Secretary Hegseth is visiting Quonset to see some critical defense manufacturing production firsthand. While I was invited to join, I politely declined because of a previous, longstanding commitment.
“I hope the secretary comes away from this visit with a keen appreciation for the skill, dedication, and innovation of our talented defense workers and an understanding of the need to invest in our Submarine Industrial Base shipbuilders, shipyards, and critical suppliers.”
After the brief stop in Rhode Island, the Secretary of Defense is scheduled to visit other New England shipyards today.