In the News

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - After Tuesday's midterm elections, Congressman Richard Neal is in position to serve as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. 

Democrats took control of the House of Representatives as a result of Tuesday's midterm elections. 

Congressman Richard Neal is now the ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee.
"Ways and Means" is responsible for taxes, trade, health care and Social Security. 

Neal said one of his priorities is to work with President Trump on one of his campaign promises. 

"President Trump campaigned on the idea, two years ago, of spending $1.5 trillion on the issue of upgrading our highways, roadways, bridges, airports, railroads, broadband and sewer and water," said Neal.

In western Massachusetts, Neal said that money could be used for more improvements to transportation like the Union Station project. 

Neal said Governor Charlie Baker is also interested in improving infrastructure in the state, and wants to move forward with a study on the potential east-west rail line. 

The Congressman added he will push to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid because some western Massachusetts hospitals like Holyoke Medical Center rely heavily on those programs for revenue. 

Neal said this would be the first time since 1871 that the Ways and Means Committee chair is a congressman from Massachusetts.