In the News

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal joined a group of Congressional leaders Tuesday at the White House for a meeting with President Donald Trump regarding a $2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill.

The Springfield Democrat was accompanied by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.

“I joined my colleagues in Congress today for an important meeting with President Trump at the White House to talk about the seriousness of a big infrastructure package. The deficiencies of our roads, bridges, transit, water systems, and electrical grids are well-documented and widely known. This is a problematic reality for every single state and congressional district in the nation," said Neal in a statement. “I’m optimistic that we have decided on a number and look forward to continuing this very important discussion.”

Following the 90-minute meeting with the president in the West Wing, Schumer noted the mood was in stark contrast with those held before the government shutdown earlier this year, when Trump and the Democratic leaders were seen on camera bickering in the White House.

“There was goodwill in this meeting, and that was different than some of the other meetings that we’ve had, which is a very good thing,” Schumer told Newsday.

There has been speculation that congressional Republicans will be unlikely to support a $2 trillion infrastructure package, which could doom its chances in the GOP-controlled Senate.