Reps Neal and Lowey: Child care is essential to reopening the economy (opinion)
CNN
“People simply cannot return to their jobs if they're unable to find care for their children. For the economy to reopen fully, Congress must provide meaningful, robust child care relief for families and providers. That is why we introduced the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act, legislation that addresses the most pressing needs of millions of working parents and families, like those we represent in New York and Massachusetts. The legislation builds on congressional efforts to address the varied needs now being recognized in the child care space, including stabilizing the child care sector through the Child Care is Essential Act, and improving child care facilities for the health and safety of children.”
Read More
Guest Viewpoint: "Moving Forward Act, other congressional initiatives critical to reinvest in our communities, support those who need help"
Masslive
“The economic impacts of COVID-19 have ripped through the country, and here in Western and Central Massachusetts we have seen it first-hand. But we are resilient. While it may take time for us to recover fully, we have a unique opportunity to improve our communities, create new jobs, make critical infrastructure investments, and come out stronger than ever.”
Read More
State lawmakers launch bill aimed at protecting and expanding Affordable Care Act
22 News (WWLP)
“Congressman Richard Neal said this new bill expands protections. Neal told 22News, ‘It will provide health insurance for 23 million Americans. It would provide an opportunity for us to address the issue of runaway Rx drug costs. And it expands protections for American families.’ Congressman Neal also said it’s very likely we will see a second stimulus check in July. He added that Americans still need protection to pay their bills.”
Read More
U.S. Rep. Neal supports plan to renovate and expand Holyoke Soldiers’ Home
MassLive
“A proposal to renovate and expand the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home got a major boost Saturday as First District U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, Chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, threw his support behind the plan. ‘The proposals that we are speaking about today regarding the renovation for the future of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home are critical given the terrible tragedy of 76 veterans losing their lives due to the coronavirus outbreak here,’ he said.”
Read More
Mass. Democrats call approved House police reform bill 'critical step forward'
MassLive
“Neal, who called Floyd’s death and the ensuing protests “transformative” events, applauded the Democratic proposal’s improved transparency and accountability. He said outlawing chokeholds and the way Floyd was pinned to the ground by officer Derek Chauvin, who now faces a second-degree murder charge, ‘makes a great deal of sense.’”
Read More
House Democrats unveil package to reduce health care costs, drug prices
MassLive
“Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives on Wednesday unveiled a sweeping health care package to strengthen the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, lowering the costs of insurance premiums, expanding eligibility for premium tax credits and allowing states to create state-based health insurance marketplaces… The Congressional Budget Office estimated that drugs subject to negotiation could see price drops of up to 55% if the bill passes, according to a news release from the office of Rep. Richard Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. ‘The well-being and security of American families and the workers of our nation are at stake,’ Neal said.”
Read More
$1.5 trillion infrastructure bill would give big boost to east-west rail
The Recorder
“Standing on a platform Friday morning at Union Station, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal touted a $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill unveiled by House Democrats last week that includes $19 billion in federal grant funding that he said will benefit east-west rail. Calling the proposal ‘the most ambitious infrastructure plan’ since former President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act in 1956, Neal said the legislation would pave the way for federal funding across a variety of sectors, including improvements to roads and bridges, municipal broadband internet, affordable housing, green energy and rail.”
Read More
Neal optimistic about big, Democrat-led spending bills
Berkshire Eagle
“U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, expressed confidence in his party's efforts to invest in infrastructure and to provide pandemic relief, despite Republican aversion to large spending bills amid the economic downturn. Neal's comments followed the rollout last week of the "Moving Forward Act," an infrastructure plan by Democrats that would allocate $1.5 trillion to improve highways, railroads, broadband, renewable energy and the U.S. Postal Service, among other items.”
Read More
Democrats detail their $1.5T green infrastructure plan
The Hill
“The legislation, unveiled Thursday, would funnel hundreds of billions of dollars toward transportation and broadband, along with investments in schools and hospitals, with requirements to reduce emissions and clean up industry woven throughout the bill. “This is the largest tax investment in combating climate change Congress has ever made,” House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) said when the bill was first announced.”
Read More
Editorial: Massachusetts’ congressional delegation needs to rally for federal funding on east-west rail
MassLive
“For years, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, has been a dogged supporter of an east-west rail line that would connect all parts of Massachusetts, bolster the economy and greatly reduce the self-defeating economic imbalance between the state’s eastern and western ends.”
Read More
Neal Delivers Milk to Pittsfield Food Pantry
iBerkshires.com
“U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, in partnership with Vanguard Renewables and H.P. Hood, delivered 400 gallons of milk to the South Congregational Church Community Food Pantry. It is hard enough for the food pantry to serve all those in need. Throw a pandemic in the mix and resources have to be stretched even further. ‘Food security in the pandemic is critical,’ Neal said Friday afternoon.’"
Read More
Neal touts $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan for trains, green energy, highways at Union Station
MassLive
“Speaking over the rumbling locomotive of the 12:05 Amtrak train to Hartford, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal touted a $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan he and his fellow Democrats introduced with a Friday visit to Springfield’s Union Station. ‘This is the first substantive step the Congress has taken toward east-west rail,’ said Neal… referencing the long-held goal of improving passenger train service from Boston west through Worcester and Springfield.”
Read More
Letters to the Editor: Time has come in Massachusetts for East-West rail
MassLive
“The bottom line is that the project will not be able to become a reality without the infusion of federal money which will be well spent. It is fortunate that our congressional delegation led by the House Ways & Means Committee chair Richard E. Neal, of Springfield, might well be able to do what has simply been politically impossible to accomplish in the past: the realization of east-west rail. The time truly has come to undertake and complete this vital and noble endeavor.”
Read More
Bay State Lawmakers Cheer LGBTQ Worker Rights' SCOTUS Ruling, But Demand Broader Legislation
WBUR
“Rep. Richard Neal called the ruling ‘a momentous victory for the LGBTQ community and our nation as a whole.’ ‘I will continue to use my position as Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means to ensure that LGBTQ individuals receive fair treatment in the tax code and to reaffirm the declaration that there is no place for hate or discrimination of any kind here in our country,’ Neal said in a statement.”
Read More
Mayor Sarno, Congressman Neal to announce partnership with Way Finders, $2 million assistance grant
22 News (WWLP)
“Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Congressman Richard Neal are announcing a partnership with Way Finders for $2 million Mortgage, Rent, and Utility Assistance Thursday morning. According to a news release sent to 22News, the City of Springfield is making available $2 million in grant funding for renters and homeowners who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant program will pay up to three months’ rent, mortgage, and utility charges for low to moderate-income Springfield residents.”
Read More
Oasis Food Pantry receives help from Congressman Richard Neal
22 News (WWLP)
“The Oasis Food Pantry was ready with volunteers to help fill each of the cars in the long procession needing a supply of food… Congressman Richard Neal joined the team of volunteers filling each car with boxes containing food and gallons of milk. Angela Foley-Powers, the Executive Director of Oasis Food Pantry, was thrilled to have Congressman Richard Neal help out. ‘Today Congressman Neal is here to help with the fresh milk donation, something that we don’t get very often,’ said Foley-Powers.”
Read More
MA: Markey, Neal tout Massachusetts East-West Rail with new infrastructure bill
Mass Transit Magazine
“U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal unveiled a bill that would pump billions into passenger rail funding -- and touted how it could lay the tracks for the long-discussed East-West Rail as both men fight for re-election. The two announced what they called the "Brain Train" Act, which would authorize $5 billion in spending nationally on passenger rail a year for the next five years.”
Read More
Passenger rail bill unveiled by congressmen
Daily Hampshire Gazette
“U.S. Sen. Ed Markey has announced new legislation that he says would help expand passenger rail service across western Massachusetts… Joining Markey on the virtual press conference was U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, who is introducing the legislation in the House. Neal is chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, where he unveiled a $760 billion infrastructure plan in late January. He said he recently met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to discuss infrastructure spending, and that he thinks there is broad support for it in Congress.”
Read More
Neal, Sarno to announce $36M in coronavirus relief for PVTA
MassLive
“The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority will receive $36.6 million in Federal Transit Administration funding under the CARES Act, the major package of legislation designed to offer relief during the coronavirus pandemic.”
Read More
Neal: Negotiations underway on HEROES Act
Western Mass News
“Efforts are underway on Capitol Hill to get a second round of stimulus checks out to Americans across the country. The HEROES act just needs approval by the Senate… ‘We are in discussions with the Senate now. As you know Sen. McConnell has shifted gears and said he’s open to negotiation. He’s laid out some markers and I believe that the thrust of what we have suggested more money for state and local governments, more money for hospitals, and advanced retention tax credit for employers to keep employees working,’ Neal explained.”
Read More
