In the News

EAST LONGMEADOW, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- As the reopening debate wages across the country, reviving the economy has been one of the most cited arguments for relaxing social distancing. However, with more small business assistance working its way through Capitol Hill, Congressman Richard Neal, who was in western Mass. today, is speaking out on efforts to help the economy reopen. As Neal was… Read more »

EAST LONGMEADOW, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Congressman Richard Neal speaking on the effects of coronavirus on western Massachusetts today. The congressman spoke while taking a tour of Cartamundi and Hasbro in East Longmeadow earlier today. Neal toured the facility, which has been transformed into a PPE manufacturing location, churning out 50,000 face shields a week. Neal spoke today on how… Read more »

EAST LONGMEADOW — U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal said Tuesday he expects to go back to Washington later this week and vote on a new $484 billion coronavirus relief bill, legislation he said he spent the weekend hashing out with the Trump administration while working in concert with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others. The bill passed the Senate Tuesday… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. —Rep. Richard Neal said an agreement between the House of Representatives and the Senate on the next coronavirus relief package is "imminent." The veteran Massachusetts congressman spoke about the talks surrounding the fourth COVID-19 relief bill during a live appearance on WCVB's "On the Record" Sunday, which he made remotely from outside his Springfield… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — As hospitals across the country face shortages of protective equipment for their workers, many have turned to extraordinary measures to procure it. For Baystate Health officials, that process recently involved convincing the FBI they were purchasing the equipment legally; protecting the shipment from the Department of Homeland Security, which was trying to divert it;… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD – It was almost like a covert operation out of a James Bond movie but instead of nuclear secrets staff from Baystate Health were trying to buy medical masks. The cloak-and-dagger operation started about three weeks ago when supply experts at the hospital got a tip on a possible shipment of the KN95 masks, which are most sought after by medical personnel. It involved a… Read more »

A top physician at the Baystate Health medical system in Western Massachusetts says he was questioned by the FBI as he was buying badly needed personal protective equipment, offering a detailed glimpse into the difficulties faced by hospitals as they try to navigate supply shortages amid the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Andrew W. Artenstein, who is chief physician executive at the system… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — The city has received an initial allotment of 300 COVID-19 testing kits for use at a new tent triage area for the homeless. The delivery was aided by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and Gov. Charlie Baker’s office, city officials said Wednesday. The city recently erected the three-tent complex on Worthington Street across the street from the Friends of the Homeless… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WHSM) -- The much anticipated federal stimulus money is now appearing in bank accounts around the country. For those looking for their check, the IRS has set up a new tool to track their portion of the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package. The IRS said they are making direct deposit payments to 80 million people right now, and then will start sending checks out by… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, took part in a Tele-Town Hall staged by the Springfield Regional Chamber on April 7 to talk about some of the relief measures flowing out of Capitol Hill to help families and businesses battered by the COVID-19 pandemic — specifically, the large-scale economic shutdown it has caused. Here are some takeaways from… Read more »