Articles

In a society where social media clicks seem to command the political landscape and conflict dominates the news cycle, I have long held the belief that legislation is what truly changes lives. As we enter the new year, we prepare to commemorate the 90th anniversary of one of our nation’s greatest legislative achievements — the Social Security Act.   In 1935, surrounded by members of… Read more »

Once again, hope and history rhymed on the island of Ireland when Michelle O’Neill, the 47-year-old vice president of Sinn Fein from County Tyrone, was elected First Minister in the north of Ireland’s power-sharing government. An Irish nationalist has not held this important and highly symbolic position since Ireland was partitioned in 1921. In another example of the changing political… Read more »

In past Outlook columns, I wrote about the aspirations and hopes for the Valley economy as we rebuilt from the pandemic. We aspired to rebuild an economy that the Pioneer Valley deserved, one that was built by investing in the American worker and growing the economy from the bottom-up and middle-out. It was during this pursuit that I was reminded of Massachusetts’ own Jack Kennedy and his… Read more »

Ways and Means Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after the Internal Revenue Service announced new progress on a direct file pilot program:   "Today’s announcement marks welcome progress at the Internal Revenue Service. Direct filing will ease taxpayers’ burden and help deliver more comprehensive services, including bilingual customer support… Read more »

By U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, U.S. Reps. Richard Neal and James McGovern Today, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is breaking ground on an innovative effort that will increase access to nutritious food while also addressing environmental sustainability. Thanks in part to $3 million in congressionally-directed federal funding we fought for in Congress. The food bank is beginning… Read more »

As our nation continues to build back from the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress should address a key issue that will strengthen Americans’ financial security and resiliency: retirement policy. There’s a retirement crisis in the United States that began long before the pandemic upended our economy. Millions of Americans are on course either to lack the financial ability to… Read more »

Today, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) January 2022 jobs report: “These numbers defied predictions, showing that the strong economic recovery that began last year, supported by the American Rescue Plan Act and the determination of American workers, is continuing, even in the face… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, announced Wednesday two grants for science, technology, engineering and math-centered programs at Springfield Technical Community College totaling $7.35 million. Both grants are over five years and both focus on recruiting and retaining through graduation Hispanic and low income students in STEM fields by meeting challenges like… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — Local, state and federal officials gathered Tuesday to hail a completed $50 million renovation project at the Skyview Downtown housing complex on Chestnut Street, a comeback that they said ended decades of difficulties.   The four-building, 489-unit complex, known previously as Chestnut Park Apartments and Chestnut Tower, opened in 1976 as a luxury high-rise. But over… Read more »

As the Democratic Leader of the House Ways & Means Committee, I strongly opposed the ill-advised Republican tax plan. The resulting law that was passed in Congress and signed by President Trump with is simply a bad deal for millions of Americans. It will raise taxes on 86 million middle class families, add $2.3 trillion to the federal debt, worsen economic inequality, and take health… Read more »