In the News

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 reporters in Springfield. “At the same time I think the most significant issue is now getting the government up and running.”

The Springfield Democrat said that under the power sharing agreements the first minister and the second minister have the same powers. So that’s even more reason for the sides in Northern Ireland to form a government.

“And accepting the outcome of an election,” he said.

But on Monday, The Associated Press reported that Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party, which lost last week, will not form a government until its demands for control on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic are met.

Unionists oppose new customs and border checks on some goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom. These checks are meant to prevent the return of a hard border in Ireland under Brexit.

Unionists, who seek union with Great Britain, don’t want a barrier between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

“I think that the trade issue in the North is complicated by the fact that many of the unionists see it as a threat to their identity, culturally,” Neal said.

The Good Friday Agreement worked because all sides gave up something they already had, and it can be used as a template for peace around the world, he said.

Neal helped to foster that Good Friday Agreement and today, as chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means has a significant say in American trade policy.

He said the trade protocol was negotiated by the government of pro-Brexit British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He recalled traveling between the Republic and Northern Ireland with other members of Congress and being met by armed troops.

“Today, you go and your phone pings,” Neal said. “It’s interesting no one is talking about going back to the bad old days.”

The Northern Ireland election outcome is significant in its symbolism as well, Neal said. Northern Ireland was created in 1921 specifically with a population of those loyal to Great Britain. It was gerrymandered at the time specifically to prevent an outcome like last week’s.

Domestically, Neal was asked about the leaked U.S. Supreme Court opinion that appears to indicate the court is poised to reverse Roe v. Wade.

“I think it would be a tremendous step backward,” Neal said.

The House has already voted to codify Roe, but the Senate has not, said Neal, adding he doesn’t believe there are enough votes to break an expected filibuster.

He said a legislative solution is generally preferable and some say that should have happened 50 years ago when Roe was decided. But in those five decades, its become what most had thought was settled law.

Link to article HERE.