Neal announces $8.7M in COVID-19 relief funds for Holyoke Medical Center
Daily Hampshire Gazette
“Neal, who is chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee that oversees HHS, said he had the department’s deputy secretary get on a phone call with Hatiras and other hospitals, so Hatiras could ‘make the argument for Holyoke Hospital, and he did it.’ ‘He pointed out that beyond the formula, there were these individuals from the Soldiers’ Home that had to be treated,’ Neal said… Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton also received $5.5 million in the second round of funding.”
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Congressman Neal discusses new stimulus package, expected soon
Western Mass News
“Congressman Richard Neal told Western Mass News he hopes the Senate and the House will agree on a package in the next few days. ‘We wanted them to have money for the day-to-day needs of life,’ Neal explained. With the extra $600 weekly jobless benefits in the CARES Act ending in the next few days, Senate Republicans and House Democrats are still at odds over a new stimulus package, leaving many families to scramble. ‘I think the HEROES Act is likely to pass in some version,’ Neal noted.”
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A family values relief package — really
The Washington Post
“Expanding the credit has been a major cause of a group of Democrats that includes Sens. Michael F. Bennet (Colo.), Cory Booker (N.J.) and Sherrod Brown (Ohio), as well as Reps. Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.), Suzan DelBene (Wash.), Richard E. Neal (Mass.) — and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.).”
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Neal Announces CARES Act Grants for Cultural Organizations
iBerkshires
“Neal said that the country cannot afford to get complacent about the COVID-19 pandemic or to stop finding ways to stimulate the economy. And he said that recent spikes in the novel coronavirus around the country will make it hard for his colleagues on the other side of the aisle to vote against stimulus packages when Congress returns from its July 4 recess.”
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Reps Neal and Lowey: Child care is essential to reopening the economy (opinion)
CNN
“People simply cannot return to their jobs if they're unable to find care for their children. For the economy to reopen fully, Congress must provide meaningful, robust child care relief for families and providers. That is why we introduced the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act, legislation that addresses the most pressing needs of millions of working parents and families, like those we represent in New York and Massachusetts. The legislation builds on congressional efforts to address the varied needs now being recognized in the child care space, including stabilizing the child care sector through the Child Care is Essential Act, and improving child care facilities for the health and safety of children.”
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Guest Viewpoint: "Moving Forward Act, other congressional initiatives critical to reinvest in our communities, support those who need help"
Masslive
“The economic impacts of COVID-19 have ripped through the country, and here in Western and Central Massachusetts we have seen it first-hand. But we are resilient. While it may take time for us to recover fully, we have a unique opportunity to improve our communities, create new jobs, make critical infrastructure investments, and come out stronger than ever.”
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State lawmakers launch bill aimed at protecting and expanding Affordable Care Act
22 News (WWLP)
“Congressman Richard Neal said this new bill expands protections. Neal told 22News, ‘It will provide health insurance for 23 million Americans. It would provide an opportunity for us to address the issue of runaway Rx drug costs. And it expands protections for American families.’ Congressman Neal also said it’s very likely we will see a second stimulus check in July. He added that Americans still need protection to pay their bills.”
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U.S. Rep. Neal supports plan to renovate and expand Holyoke Soldiers’ Home
MassLive
“A proposal to renovate and expand the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home got a major boost Saturday as First District U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, Chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, threw his support behind the plan. ‘The proposals that we are speaking about today regarding the renovation for the future of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home are critical given the terrible tragedy of 76 veterans losing their lives due to the coronavirus outbreak here,’ he said.”
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Neal optimistic about big, Democrat-led spending bills
Berkshire Eagle
“U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, expressed confidence in his party's efforts to invest in infrastructure and to provide pandemic relief, despite Republican aversion to large spending bills amid the economic downturn. Neal's comments followed the rollout last week of the "Moving Forward Act," an infrastructure plan by Democrats that would allocate $1.5 trillion to improve highways, railroads, broadband, renewable energy and the U.S. Postal Service, among other items.”
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Neal Delivers Milk to Pittsfield Food Pantry
iBerkshires.com
“U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, in partnership with Vanguard Renewables and H.P. Hood, delivered 400 gallons of milk to the South Congregational Church Community Food Pantry. It is hard enough for the food pantry to serve all those in need. Throw a pandemic in the mix and resources have to be stretched even further. ‘Food security in the pandemic is critical,’ Neal said Friday afternoon.’"
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Mayor Sarno, Congressman Neal to announce partnership with Way Finders, $2 million assistance grant
22 News (WWLP)
“Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Congressman Richard Neal are announcing a partnership with Way Finders for $2 million Mortgage, Rent, and Utility Assistance Thursday morning. According to a news release sent to 22News, the City of Springfield is making available $2 million in grant funding for renters and homeowners who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant program will pay up to three months’ rent, mortgage, and utility charges for low to moderate-income Springfield residents.”
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Oasis Food Pantry receives help from Congressman Richard Neal
22 News (WWLP)
“The Oasis Food Pantry was ready with volunteers to help fill each of the cars in the long procession needing a supply of food… Congressman Richard Neal joined the team of volunteers filling each car with boxes containing food and gallons of milk. Angela Foley-Powers, the Executive Director of Oasis Food Pantry, was thrilled to have Congressman Richard Neal help out. ‘Today Congressman Neal is here to help with the fresh milk donation, something that we don’t get very often,’ said Foley-Powers.”
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Neal, Sarno to announce $36M in coronavirus relief for PVTA
MassLive
“The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority will receive $36.6 million in Federal Transit Administration funding under the CARES Act, the major package of legislation designed to offer relief during the coronavirus pandemic.”
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Neal: Negotiations underway on HEROES Act
Western Mass News
“Efforts are underway on Capitol Hill to get a second round of stimulus checks out to Americans across the country. The HEROES act just needs approval by the Senate… ‘We are in discussions with the Senate now. As you know Sen. McConnell has shifted gears and said he’s open to negotiation. He’s laid out some markers and I believe that the thrust of what we have suggested more money for state and local governments, more money for hospitals, and advanced retention tax credit for employers to keep employees working,’ Neal explained.”
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How the pandemic disproportionately affects communities of color
POLITICO Pulse
“WAYS AND MEANS LOOKS AT COVID IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR — The 11 a.m. hearing is intended to explore how the outbreak is disproportionately affecting minority communities. Early evidence suggests that black populations and other communities of color are seeing elevated rates of coronavirus infections and deaths. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has faced persistent scrutiny over ongoing data gaps about how the virus is hitting minorities. What RICHARD NEAL plans to say: The committee chair wants to use the hearing to focus on longstanding issues of inequality that he says have contributed to the current Covid-19 outbreak, according to prepared remarks shared with PULSE. ‘While the factors driving these inequities are complex and multifaceted, their impact on health outcomes are clear,’ Neal plans to say. ‘That is why we convened this hearing — to unpack these circumstances and begin to unravel the roots of our own history that have brought us to this point.’”
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Feed The Fight campaign provides free meals to health care workers
22 News
“On Tuesday, Congressman Richard Neal teamed up with Peter Pan Bus Lines and local restaurants to get free meals to health care workers in Springfield… Congressman Neal and volunteers distributed hundreds of boxed lunches to Mercy Medical Center employees just before noon. Neal purchased about $3,200 worth of lunches from local restaurants for Tuesday’s meals donation. ‘These are the people we count on and they have done a superb job. I would have done whatever they would have asked. I think the better emphasis is to thank the workers in this small but significant way,’ said Neal.”
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Rep. Richard Neal calls mail delivery ‘essential service’, calls on Congress to pass emergency funding for US Postal Service
MassLive
“The men and women of the U.S. Postal Service have never ceased delivering mail under trying circumstances, and for that reason U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal stopped in Springfield to deliver his support for them. Neal, speaking in front of the city’s main post office branch at Main and Liberty streets, said the U.S. Postal Service is an essential service and needs to be treated like one.”
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House passes Heroes Act, next step is passage by Senate
The Reminder
“Congressman Richard Neal, the chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, said that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has called the new relief legislation a “non-starter.” Neal explained though at a press conference on May 13 that McConnell had said similar things before other legislation designed to help citizens and businesses survive through the pandemic… In a written statement, Neal said, “The Heroes Act is another step forward on our road to recovery from the devastating effects of this virus. It is a necessary investment in the American economy and in science-based strategies to fight the pandemic.”
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22News ‘COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall’ with Massachusetts Business and Community Leaders
WWLP
“As Massachusetts launches Phase One of reopening the state, there are plenty of questions about what to expect. To answer some of those questions, 22News is bringing together members of Massachusetts’ delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives, community and business leaders for “COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall”... Congressman Richard Neal told 22News that the Heroes Act bill includes another round of stimulus payments that is needed now more than ever.”
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House passes Heroes Act, next step is passage by Senate
The Reminder
“Congressman Richard Neal, the chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, said that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has called the new relief legislation a “non-starter.” Neal explained though at a press conference on May 13 that McConnell had said similar things before other legislation designed to help citizens and businesses survive through the pandemic… In a written statement, Neal said, “The Heroes Act is another step forward on our road to recovery from the devastating effects of this virus. It is a necessary investment in the American economy and in science-based strategies to fight the pandemic.”
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