In the News

(WWLP) – The Butch Lewis Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act was signed into law as part of the American Rescue Plan Act saving retirement security for millions of retired and active workers. On Tuesday, the Teamsters Union thanked U.S. Representative Richard Neal for his continued support for legislation that will address the worsening multiemployer pension crisis threatening the… Read more »

HOLYOKE — In an attempt to quell budding dissent over a $400 million proposal to build a new Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, the region’s most powerful federal lawmaker jumped into the fray. U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal — a Springfield Democrat and chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee — on Wednesday called state Senate President Karen Spilka and new House… Read more »

The Internal Revenue Service will again give Americans extra time to file their taxes as a result of the pandemic. Instead of the usual April 15 deadline, filers will instead have until May 17, the agency said Wednesday, an extension that will ease the burden on filers dealing with the economic upheaval caused by the coronavirus, which has put millions out of work or caused their hours… Read more »

(WWLP) – The Annual Friends of Ireland program celebrated its 39th anniversary virtually this St. Patrick’s Day. Watch the entire program here. The Congressional Friends of Ireland, or Friends of Ireland, was founded in 1981 as a bi-partisan organization that provides support to Ireland in their efforts for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Speaker of the… Read more »

House Democrats said on Friday afternoon they have officially started work on an infrastructure package, kicking off what appears likely to be a lengthy stretch of negotiations on a multitrillion-dollar economic recovery bill. "Building our transportation system has long been bipartisan," Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. "It is our hope that spirit will prevail as we address… Read more »

This week, Congressman Richard Neal voted to pass an important government funding legislation that secures $8 million for the First Congressional District. The bill includes community project funding which will benefit several different projects across western Massachusetts. Forest Park is set to receive $2 million for its horticultural plans. “I consider it money well spent if you can… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal spent some time on the phone following Wednesday’s historic House vote approving the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan for COVID relief. One call was from President Joe Biden. “Some things are worth fighting for,” the Springfield Democrat quoted the president as saying. “And we did it.” Biden plans to sign the plan and… Read more »

Another round of stimulus checks are poised to go out to most Americans after a divided U.S. House put its final stamp of approval on President Biden’s “seismic” $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, which would also send $8.1 billion to Massachusetts. All that’s left is for Biden to sign off on his “American Rescue Plan” before $1,400 stimulus… Read more »

Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts will manage debate on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday as the Democratic-led chamber is poised to send a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill to President Joe Biden’s desk. Neal, a Springfield Democrat, chairs the House Committee on Ways and Means, which helped lead critical portions of the bill, including $1,400… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- If you have a child under the age of 18 you could soon get a $3,000 tax credit. That's what is proposed under the American Rescue Plan Act, which heads to a final vote Wednesday in Washington, D.C. How do you know if you qualify for the money? If Congress passes this bill, it would raise the amount that parents could get for each child, and parents could… Read more »