“The Moving Forward Act’s investments aren’t just big, they’re smart and responsible too,’ said House Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal from the floor of the House. ‘The legislation promotes investment in clean energy technologies, incentivizes the ‘greening of the fleet’ and rewards renewable energy projects engaging in responsible labor practices that prioritize workers’ rights and wellbeing.’”
Read More“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.”
Read More“Richie has consistently used this national leadership position to listen, learn and amplify the voices of underrepresented populations. In his first months as Chairman, he held hearings on how to address racial disparities and social determinants in the nation’s maternal mortality crisis, at a time when no one else would pay attention to the issue. Richie shows up for the fight always ready to speak out and help those most in need.”
Read More“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.”
Read More“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.”
Read More“Neal, who called Floyd’s death and the ensuing protests “transformative” events, applauded the Democratic proposal’s improved transparency and accountability. He said outlawing chokeholds and the way Floyd was pinned to the ground by officer Derek Chauvin, who now faces a second-degree murder charge, ‘makes a great deal of sense.’”
Read More“Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives on Wednesday unveiled a sweeping health care package to strengthen the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, lowering the costs of insurance premiums, expanding eligibility for premium tax credits and allowing states to create state-based health insurance marketplaces… The Congressional Budget Office estimated that drugs subject to negotiation could see price drops of up to 55% if the bill passes, according to a news release from the office of Rep. Richard Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. ‘The well-being and security of American families and the workers of our nation are at stake,’ Neal said.”
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD – Congressman Richie Neal has been endorsed by the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, representing over 12,000 firefighters across the Commonwealth.
Read More“Standing on a platform Friday morning at Union Station, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal touted a $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill unveiled by House Democrats last week that includes $19 billion in federal grant funding that he said will benefit east-west rail. Calling the proposal ‘the most ambitious infrastructure plan’ since former President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act in 1956, Neal said the legislation would pave the way for federal funding across a variety of sectors, including improvements to roads and bridges, municipal broadband internet, affordable housing, green energy and rail.”
Read More“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.”
Read More“The legislation, unveiled Thursday, would funnel hundreds of billions of dollars toward transportation and broadband, along with investments in schools and hospitals, with requirements to reduce emissions and clean up industry woven throughout the bill. “This is the largest tax investment in combating climate change Congress has ever made,” House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) said when the bill was first announced.”
Read More“For years, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, has been a dogged supporter of an east-west rail line that would connect all parts of Massachusetts, bolster the economy and greatly reduce the self-defeating economic imbalance between the state’s eastern and western ends.”
Read More“Six options are under consideration. Cost estimates of these six range from $2 billion to $25 billion. All sides agree this project will require federal funding, but, again, timing could be favorable as $19 billion for rail expansion is included in a $1.5 trillion federal infrastructure construction bill introduced last month. House Ways and Means chairman Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, is pushing for the east-west rail line to be part of it.”
Read More“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.’"
Read More“Speaking over the rumbling locomotive of the 12:05 Amtrak train to Hartford, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal touted a $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan he and his fellow Democrats introduced with a Friday visit to Springfield’s Union Station. ‘This is the first substantive step the Congress has taken toward east-west rail,’ said Neal… referencing the long-held goal of improving passenger train service from Boston west through Worcester and Springfield.”
Read More“The bottom line is that the project will not be able to become a reality without the infusion of federal money which will be well spent. It is fortunate that our congressional delegation led by the House Ways & Means Committee chair Richard E. Neal, of Springfield, might well be able to do what has simply been politically impossible to accomplish in the past: the realization of east-west rail. The time truly has come to undertake and complete this vital and noble endeavor.”
Read More“Rep. Richard Neal called the ruling ‘a momentous victory for the LGBTQ community and our nation as a whole.’ ‘I will continue to use my position as Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means to ensure that LGBTQ individuals receive fair treatment in the tax code and to reaffirm the declaration that there is no place for hate or discrimination of any kind here in our country,’ Neal said in a statement.”
Read MoreSPRINGFIELD – Congressman Richie Neal’s re-election effort has been endorsed by the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC) and Carpenters Union Local 336, covering Central and Western Massachusetts
Read More“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.”
Read More“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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