News List

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal on Monday urged lawmakers in Northern Ireland to form a government following Sinn Fein victories and despite lingering border questions with Great Britain out of the European Union and Ireland still in the trade bloc. “Brexit certainly played a significant role in the background of what happened,” said Neal, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, to… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, of Springfield, said he supports a bill in Massachusetts that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. The bill passed in the Senate last week. Neal calls the idea of allowing undocumented immigrants to have driver's licenses "a practical solution." "I think that some of the opposition has been overstated," he said. "Making sure that they… Read more »

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement on the outcome of the Northern Ireland Assembly elections: “The symbolic importance of the results cannot be overstated. As with any fair and free election, the real winners are the people. Voters in Northern Ireland made their voices heard and actively participated in creating the more… Read more »

The city will celebrate the new extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Crane Avenue trail crossing. The extension connects the existing trail at Berkshire Mall Road in Lanesborough with Crane Avenue. Ceremony speakers include Mayor Linda Tyer,  Jim McGrath, Park and Open Space Program manager; political… Read more »

Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement to mark Child Care Provider Appreciation Day: “America’s child care workforce plays an essential role in our economy and provides millions of parents with the ability to have jobs of their own. While offering a nurturing, safe environment for children to learn, grow, and play, providers allow… Read more »

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) April 2022 jobs report: “This month’s jobs report is the result of a tightening labor market that has made incredible gains in a short period of time. A historically low unemployment rate and an impressive rate of job recovery were never guarantees.… Read more »

Congressman Richard E. Neal invites high school students, their families, and school councilors to attend the 2022 Academy Day information session. Academy Day will help interested students determine if a Military Service Academy or similar education path is something they would want to pursue.  While it is recommended that interested juniors in high school attend Academy Day, high… Read more »

Bay Path University will be holding its 125th Commencement on Sunday, May 15, at 4:00 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA. Approximately 800 students, including members from the classes of 2020 and 2021 who have elected to participate in the in-person ceremony, will be honored before 4,000 plus family and friends. Bay Path University is also proud to announce that the… Read more »

Reactions are pouring in from around western Massachusetts to the possibility of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade . We sat down with a local attorney who explains what this means for the country, and more specifically, what this means for women in our state. “That changes a whole spectrum of how women can make choices on their own bodies. I hope it’s reconsidered,” said… Read more »

(As prepared for delivery) Our next order of business is the hearing on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Budget. Secretary Becerra, I want to extend you a warm welcome back to the Ways and Means Committee.  We meet today at an inflection point. We are shifting our focus from the urgency of the COVID public health crisis to confronting the virus as an enduring epidemic, while also… Read more »