Richard Neal

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Neal was the president of the Springfield City Council from 1979 to 1983 and the mayor of Springfield from 1983 to 1989. He was nearly unopposed when he ran for the House of Representatives in 1988, and took office in 1989.

Neal chaired the House Ways and Means Committee from 2019 to 2023 and chaired the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He has also dedicated much of his career to U.S.–Ireland relations and maintaining American involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process, for which he has won several acclamations. He has a generally liberal voting record, but is considered a moderate on such issues as abortion and trade. In January 2020, Neal was inducted into the Irish American Hall of Fame.<ref>Irish Central, "2020 Irish America Hall of Fame inductees announced" January 26, 2020 [1] Template:Webarchive</ref>

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Early life, education, and academic careerEdit

Richard Edmund Neal was born in 1949, in Worcester, Massachusetts, the oldest of three children of Mary H. (Garvey) and Edmund John Neal. He and his two younger sisters were raised in Springfield by their mother, a housewife, and their father, a custodian at MassMutual. Neal's maternal grandparents were from Northern Ireland and his paternal grandparents were from Ireland. Neal's mother died when he was 13, and he was attending Springfield Technical High School when his father died. Neal and his two younger sisters moved in with their grandmother and later their aunt, forced to rely on Social Security checks as they grew up.<ref name="cq-2010">McCutcheon, Chuck, and Lyons, Christina L. (eds.) (2009). "Neal, Richard E., D-Mass." CQ's Politics in America 2010: The 111th Congress. Washington: Congressional Quarterly. pp. 488–489. Template:ISBN.</ref><ref name="globe-2010">Viser, Matt (June 4, 2010). "Neal seeks top job on Ways and Means committee." The Boston Globe: p. A1.</ref><ref name="gazette-1999">"A profile of a congressman: Populist roots and political instincts of U.S. Rep. Richard Neal." Daily Hampshire Gazette: p. A1. November 2, 1999.</ref>

After graduating from high school, Neal attended Holyoke Community College in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and then American International College in Springfield, with the assistance of survivor's benefits. He graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. He then attended the University of Hartford's Barney School of Business and Public Administration, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, graduating in 1976 with a Master of Arts in public administration.<ref name="globe-2010" /><ref name="neal-2010">Neal, Richard E. "Biography Template:Webarchive." Congressman Richard Neal (official website). United States House of Representatives. Retrieved June 27, 2010.</ref><ref name="directory" /><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Early in his career Neal taught history at Cathedral High School.<ref name="gazette-1999" />

Local governmentEdit

File:Richard Neal as Mayor of Springfield.jpg

Neal during his tenure as Mayor of Springfield

Neal began his political career as co-chairman of Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern's 1972 election campaign in Western Massachusetts.<ref name="cq-1988">Duncan, Phil, et al. (December 31, 1988). "House freshmen: Massachusetts—2nd district." CQ Weekly: p. 3610. CQ Press.</ref> In 1973 he became an assistant to Springfield Mayor William C. Sullivan. Neal was elected to the Springfield City Council in 1978 and was named President of the City Council in 1979.<ref name="neal-2010" /> The following year he was named as a delegate for presidential candidate Ted Kennedy at the 1980 Democratic National Convention.<ref>Farrell, David (March 5, 1980). "Massachusetts delegates chosen in the primary." The Boston Globe.</ref> While a city councilor, Neal taught history at Cathedral High School, and gave lectures at Springfield College, American International College, Springfield Technical Community College, and Western New England College.<ref name="union-1989">"Grads to hear Neal talk." The Union-News: p. 14. May 17, 1989.</ref>

In 1983, Neal made plans to challenge Theodore Dimauro, the Democratic incumbent mayor of Springfield. The pressure led Dimauro to retire and Neal was elected mayor. Neal was reelected in 1985 and 1987.<ref name="cq-1988" /> As mayor, Neal oversaw a period of significant economic growth, with over $400 million of development and investment in the city, and a surplus in the city budget. He worked to strengthen Springfield's appearance, pushing to revive and preserve the city's historic homes and initiating a Clean City Campaign to reduce litter.<ref name="union-1989" /><ref name="hall-1988">Hall, Michelle (December 27, 1988). "The new Democrats in the House." The Washington Post: p. A13.</ref>

U.S. House of RepresentativesEdit

ElectionsEdit

File:Ma02 109.gif

The 2nd congressional district of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2013

Neal ran for the United States House of Representatives in Template:Ushr in 1988 after 18-term Democratic incumbent Edward Boland retired. Boland had alerted Neal of his impending retirement, giving him a head start on his campaign. Neal raised $200,000 in campaign contributions and collected signatures across the district before the retirement was formally announced.<ref name="cq-2000">Duncan, Philip D., and Nutting, Brian (eds.) (1999). "Neal, Richard E., D-Mass." CQ's Politics in America 2000: The 106th Congress. Washington: Congressional Quarterly. pp. 488–489. Template:ISBN.</ref> He was unopposed in the Democratic primary, and his only general election opponent was Communist Party candidate Louis R. Godena, whom he defeated with over 80 percent of the vote.<ref>Dendy, Dallas L., Jr. (1989). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 8, 1988 Template:Webarchive." United States Government Printing Office. p. 20. Retrieved March 2, 2010.</ref>

Neal has won reelection every two years since. Former Springfield mayor Theodore Dimauro, reflecting sentiments that Neal had an unfair advantage in the previous election, ran as a challenger in the 1990 Democratic primary. Dimauro's campaign was sullied by a false rumor he spread about the Bank of New England's financial situation, and Neal won the primary easily.<ref name="cq-2000" /> He was unopposed in the general election, winning 68 percent of the vote.<ref>Dendy, Dallas L., Jr. (1991). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 6, 1990 Template:Webarchive." United States Government Printing Office. p. 17. Retrieved March 2, 2010.</ref> In 1992, his popularity was threatened by the House banking scandal, in which he had made dozens of unpenalized overdrafts at the House Bank.<ref name="cq-2000" /> After narrowly defeating two Democratic opponents, he was challenged by Republican Anthony W. Ravosa Jr., and Independent Thomas R. Sheehan. Neal won with 53 percent of the vote.<ref>Dendy, Dallas L., Jr. (1993). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 3, 1992 Template:Webarchive." United States Government Printing Office. p. 32. Retrieved March 2, 2010.</ref>

In a Springfield Union-News poll taken in mid-October 1994, Neal was ahead of John Briare by only 6 percentage points. Neal went on to spend nearly $500,000 in the last two weeks of the campaign to defeat Briare. The 1994 general election also featured a third-party candidate, Kate Ross, who received 6% of the vote. Neal received 59% of the vote in 1994.<ref>Carle, Robin H. (1995). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 8, 1994 Template:Webarchive.United States Government Printing Office. p. 16.</ref>

Since 1994 Neal has had little electoral opposition. He was challenged by Mark Steele in 1996 and easily dispatched him with 71 percent of the vote<ref>Carle, Robin H. (1995). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 8, 1994 Template:Webarchive." United States Government Printing Office. p. 16. Retrieved March 2, 2010.</ref><ref>Carle, Robin H. (1997). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 5, 1996 Template:Webarchive." United States Government Printing Office. p. 29. Retrieved March 2, 2010.</ref> and ran unopposed in 1998. In 2000 he won the Democratic primary against Joseph R. Fountain, who challenged Neal's positions as "anti-choice" and "anti-gun".<ref>Smock, Frederick A. (May 30, 2000). "Neal may face primary challenge: Springfield man submits nomination papers to run in 2nd district." Telegram & Gazette: p. B3.</ref> Neal had been unopposed in the general election since 1996, but faced Republican opponent Tom Wesley<ref>Associated Press (September 14, 2010). "Tom Wesley wins GOP nod in Mass. 2nd District Template:Webarchive." The Boston Herald. Retrieved September 14, 2010.</ref> in the 2010 U.S. congressional elections, which Neal won by a margin of 57% to 43%.

For his first 12 terms in Congress, Neal represented a district centered on Springfield and stretching as far east as the southern and western suburbs of Worcester. When Massachusetts lost a congressional district after the 2010 census, the bulk of Neal's territory, including his home in Springfield, was merged with the 1st district, held by fellow Democrat John Olver. While it retained Olver's district number, it was geographically and demographically more Neal's district; it now covered almost all of the Springfield metropolitan area. The prospect of an incumbent vs. incumbent contest was averted when Olver retired. The new 1st was no less Democratic than the old 2nd, and Neal was reelected without much difficulty in 2012, 2014 and 2016.

2018Edit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} In the 2018 Democratic primary, Neal defeated Springfield attorney Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, 70.7% to 29.3%.<ref name="MassL09052018">Young, Shannon. Massachusetts 1st Congressional District race: Richard Neal defeats Democratic challenger Tahirah Amatul-Wadud Template:Webarchive, MassLive LLC, September 5, 2018. Accessed July 22, 2019.</ref> In the final days of the campaign Neal had $3.1 million in the bank to Amatul-Wadud's $20,000.<ref name="MassL09052018" /> Neal ran unopposed in the general election, winning a sixteenth term in the U.S. House.

2020Edit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Holyoke mayor Alex Morse unsuccessfully challenged Neal in the 2020 Democratic primary election.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the 2020 election, Neal received the most PAC money of any candidate: $3.1 million out of his $4.9 million total raised.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Neal was unopposed in the general election, winning a seventeenth term in the U.S. House.

2022Edit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Neal ran for an eighteenth term and defeated Republican Dean Martilli in the general election, winning 61.4% of the vote.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

2024Edit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Neal ran for a nineteenth term and defeated independent candidate Nadia Milleron in the general election, winning 62.4% of the vote.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Electoral historyEdit

Template:Sronly
Year	Office		Party		Primary			General			Result	Swing		Template:Abbr.
Year	Office		Party		Total	%	Template:Abbr.	Total	%	Template:Abbr.	Result	Swing		Template:Abbr.
1983	Mayor of Springfield		rowspan="22" style="background-color:Template:Party color;" \|	Democratic	11,315	85.58%	1st	25,462	85.34%	1st	Template:Yes2	rowspan="22" style="background-color:Template:Party color;" \|	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1985			N/A			19,382	92.12%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1987			N/A			20,612	91.65%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1988	U.S. House	2nd	24,523		99.93%	1st	156,262	80.23%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1990			51,615		63.61%	1st	134,152	99.79%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1992			30,370		47.72%	1st	131,215	53.09%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1994			25,472		99.82%	1st	117,178	58.55%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1996			11,048		99.01%	1st	163,010	71.67%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1998			30,785		99.45%	1st	130,550	98.95%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2000			20,253		86.45%	1st	196,670	98.91%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2002			47,369		99.45%	1st	153,387	99.13%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2004			29,707		99.14%	1st	217,682	98.73%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2006			60,953		99.27%	1st	164,939	98.65%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2008			30,017		98.81%	1st	234,369	98.47%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2010			31,053		98.68%	1st	122,751	57.33%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2012		1st	40,295		65.47%	1st	261,936	98.42%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2014			43,225		99.07%	1st	167,612	97.96%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2016			44,857		98.45%	1st	235,803	73.34%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2018			49,696		70.64%	1st	211,790	97.64%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2020			84,092		58.64%	1st	275,376	96.51%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2022			71,928		99.16%	1st	157,635	61.48%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2024			56,364		99.07%	1st	223,325	62.37%	1st	Template:Yes2	Hold	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Source: Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts \| Election Results

TenureEdit

File:President Bill Clinton and Richard Neal.jpg

Neal with President Bill Clinton at the White House

File:President George W. Bush, Richard Neal, and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.jpg

Neal with President George W. Bush and Bertie Ahern in 2002

File:Richard Neal and Ted Kennedy.jpg

Neal with Senator Ted Kennedy

Neal has a generally liberal political record. He was given a 100 percent "Liberal Quotient" by Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) for his 2008 voting record, and the organization named him one of the year's "ADA Heroes".<ref>"2008 Congressional Voting Record Template:Webarchive." ADA Today 64: 1. Americans for Democratic Action. p. 2. Retrieved March 2, 2010.</ref> He was given an 8.19 percent "Lifetime Rating" by the American Conservative Union (ACU) based on his votes from 1989 to 2009.<ref>"2009 U.S. House Votes Template:Webarchive." American Conservative Union. 2009. Retrieved March 2, 2010.</ref> In the 110th United States Congress Neal voted with the Democratic Party leadership on 98.9 percent of bills;<ref>"House voting with party scores: 110th Congress Template:Webarchive." The Washington Post. Retrieved March 2, 2010.</ref> in the 111th United States Congress, Neal voted with the Democratic party leadership 95% of the time.<ref name="Votes Database">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Neal voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Neal served as a member of the House Democratic Steering Committee in the 105th Congress and was an at-large whip for the House Democrats.<ref name="neal-2010" /><ref name="cq-2000" /> He is a co-chair of the New England Congressional Caucus, a group aiming to advance the regional interests of New England.<ref name="neal-2010" />

Economy and budgetEdit

With several committee posts, Neal has made economic policy the focus of his career, although his success has been mixed.<ref name="cq-2010" /> He served his first two terms on the House Banking Committee, where he served on the Financial Services Subcommittee. As the banking reform law of 1991 was being drafted, he cautioned that President George H. W. Bush's proposal could negatively affect small businesses and minority-owned businesses. He introduced an amendment to require reports on lending to these businesses, which was adopted.<ref name="cq-1996">Duncan, Philip D., and Lawrence, Christine C. (eds.) (1995). "Neal, Richard E., D-Mass." CQ's Politics in America 1996: The 104th Congress. Washington: Congressional Quarterly. pp. 620–622. Template:ISBN.</ref>

In 1993 Neal moved to the House Ways and Means Committee, where he currently serves.<ref name="cq-1996" /> He has been chairman of the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures since 2008 and is a member of the Subcommittee on Trade. Previously he served on the Oversight and Social Security subcommittees.<ref>"Former and Current Members (Select Revenue Measures) Template:Webarchive," "Current Members (Trade) Template:Webarchive," "Former and Current Members (Oversight) Template:Webarchive," and "Former and Current Members (Social Security) Template:Webarchive." Committee on Ways and Means (official website). Retrieved June 27, 2010.</ref> In the late 2000s analysts considered Neal a likely frontrunner for chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, and in the wake of Charles B. Rangel's 2010 departure he began actively seeking the post.<ref name="globe-2010" /><ref>Barry, Stephanie (December 29, 2008). "Rep. Neal in running for major House post." The Republican: p. A1.</ref> In June 2010, while pursuing the chairmanship, he invited campaign contributors to a $5,000-per-person weekend fundraiser in Cape Cod. This drew fire from The Boston Globe, which criticized him for "[acceding] to the capital's money culture."<ref>"Neal should pursue top post, but not by charging for access Template:Webarchive." The Boston Globe. June 9, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2010.</ref>

According to Congressional Quarterly's Politics in America, one of Neal's longstanding legislative priorities is to simplify the tax code.<ref name="cq-2010" /> Neal has long advocated repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), believing its effects have reached unreasonably low income brackets.<ref>Nitschke, Lori (February 3, 2001). "Bush's Tax Cut Plan Would Leave Many Snagged by Alternative Minimum Levy." CQ Weekly. Congressional Quarterly. p. 274.</ref> He led an unsuccessful movement to reform the AMT in 2007.<ref name="cq-2010" /> In 1998 he successfully pushed to exempt a child tax credit from being affected by the AMT, and in 2001 Congress made the exemption permanent at his urging.<ref name="johnston">Johnston, David Cay (2003). Perfectly Legal. Portfolio (Penguin Group). p. 111. Template:ISBN.</ref> He voted against the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003, saying they would force millions onto the AMT.<ref name="cq-2008">Koszczuk, Jackie, and Angle, Martha (eds.) (2007). "Neal, Richard E., D-Mass." CQ's Politics in America 2008: The 110th Congress. Washington: Congressional Quarterly. pp. 485–486. Template:ISBN.</ref> Another priority of Neal's is to eliminate tax "loopholes" that favor higher-income individuals.<ref name="cq-2010" /> He was the lead proponent of a bill to require federal contractors to pay federal taxes for workers hired through offshore shell headquarters. The bill, H.R. 6081, passed both houses of Congress unanimously and was signed into law in May 2008.<ref>Stockman, Farah (May 23, 2008). "Senate OK's bill barring contractors from avoiding tax – Some had hired via offshore firms." The Boston Globe: p. A2.</ref>

On trade policy, Neal has a moderate record, supporting lower trade barriers.<ref name="OTI Free Trade">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He voted against the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1993.<ref name="cq-2000" /> In 1995 and 2002 he voted against fast track bills that gave the president the authority to negotiate trade deals without amendments by Congress. In 2007 he voted in favor of the United States – Peru Trade Promotion Agreement despite some Democratic opposition.<ref name="cq-2010" />

Neal is a strong supporter of the Social Security program. He moved from the Trade subcommittee to the Social Security subcommittee in 2005 to challenge President George W. Bush's attempts to partially privatize it.<ref name="cq-2008" /> He pushed a proposal to automatically enroll employees in Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), and successfully lobbied President Barack Obama to include it in a proposed 2009 budget outline.<ref name="cq-2010" />

In February 2019, Neal came under criticism for failing to promptly exercise his authority as Ways and Means Committee chair to subpoena Donald Trump's tax returns.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Citing a need to build a strong case in a potential lawsuit, Neal delayed taking this step until May 2019.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2019 the House Ways and Means Committee led by Neal passed a bill that would prohibit the IRS from creating a free electronic tax filing system.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During his 2016 and 2018 campaigns, Neal received $16,000 in contributions from Intuit and H&R Block, two tax preparation companies that have lobbied against the creation of free tax filing systems.<ref name=":0" />

For his tenure as the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee in the 116th Congress, Neal earned an "F" grade from the non-partisan Lugar Center's Congressional Oversight Hearing Index.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Foreign policyEdit

File:Richard Neal and Tony Blair.jpg

Neal with Tony Blair

File:Mark Daly and Richard Neal.jpg

Neal with the deputy chair of the Irish Senate Mark Daly in May 2022 during a visit to the Republic of Ireland

Descended from Irish nationalist grandparents on both sides, Neal has been an advocate for Irish concerns throughout his Congressional career, pushing to keep the United States involved in the Northern Ireland peace process. He is the co-chair of the ad hoc Committee on Irish Affairs, has been chairman of the Friends of Ireland since 2007, and was considered as a candidate for United States Ambassador to Ireland in 1998.<ref name="cq-2010" /><ref name="cq-2004">Duncan, Philip D., and Nutting, Brian (eds.) (2004). "Neal, Richard E., D-Mass." CQ's Politics in America 2004: The 108th Congress. Washington: Congressional Quarterly. pp. 483–484. Template:ISBN.</ref> After the disarmament of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in September 2005, Neal was among a group of Congressmen who met with Sinn Féin MP Martin McGuinness to congratulate him on the disarmament and ensure a lasting peace had been reached.<ref>Staunton, Denis (September 29, 2005). "McGuinness reassures Washington." The Irish Times: p. 7.</ref><ref>Murphy, Ryan G. (September 29, 2005). "Rep. Neal praises IRA disarmament." Telegram & Gazette: p. A8.</ref> Neal invited Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams to the inauguration of Barack Obama in January 2009.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Neal has been named as one of the top 100 Irish-Americans by Irish America magazine and received the International Leadership Award from The American Ireland Fund in 2002.<ref name="cq-2004" /><ref>Black, Chris (March 14, 1998). "Some ammunition for looming rematch." The Boston Globe: p. A3.</ref>

Neal is an opponent of the Iraq War, saying it was based on false intelligence. He voted against the original invasion in 2003 and opposed President Bush's 2006 request to send additional troops.<ref name="cq-2008" /> He cited veterans' affairs as his top priority in 2010.<ref name="boynton-2010">Boynton, Donna (January 15, 2010). "Students grill Rep. Neal on big issues." Telegram & Gazette: p. B5.</ref>

In 2017, Neal backed the Israeli Anti-Boycott Act, aimed to punish companies that boycott Israel.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Health careEdit

A longtime advocate of health care reform, Neal was involved in the major health care reform efforts of 1993–94 and 2009–10. In working on the unsuccessful Clinton health care plan of 1993 he served the interests of the major health insurance and medical companies in his district, achieving a compromise allowing insurance companies to charge small businesses higher premiums.<ref name="cq-1996" /> He was later involved writing the House's 2009 health care reform bill, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. As chairman of the Select Revenue Measures subcommittee, he had a hand in developing the bill's financing plan. He explained that his priorities were to address "pre-existing conditions, capping out-of-pocket expenses and making sure people don't lose their health care if they lose their job".<ref name="boynton-2010" /><ref>Montgomery, Lori, and Murray, Shailagh (June 19, 2009). "Senate's Health-Care Draft Calls for Most to Buy Insurance, Nixes Obama's 'Public Option'." The Washington Post.</ref> Despite his support for the act, he spoke about his preference for a "piecemeal" approach to health care reform, saying it would allow for a more reasonable debate.<ref name="palpini-2010">Palpini, Kristin (February 12, 2010). "Neal urges piecemeal votes on health care reform." Telegram & Gazette.</ref>

As chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, before a March 2019 hearing on Medicare for All, Neal told Democrats on the panel that he didn't want the phrase "Medicare for All" to be used. He argued that Medicare for All was wrong on policy and a political loser.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In December 2019, some blamed Neal for killing legislation that would have ended surprise medical bills,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> suspecting it may have been because of industry lobbyist donations to his reelection campaign.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As of the 2019–20 election cycle, Neal is third-highest among House members in campaign contributions from the health services/HMO industry.<ref name="auto">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The insurance and pharmaceutical industries are among the top contributors to his campaign committee.<ref name="auto" />

Retirement planningEdit

Neal introduced the bipartisan SECURE Act of 2019, which contained a number of provisions to expand access to retirement planning options and encourage employers to set up retirement plans for workers. The bill, originally introduced in late March 2019, became law in December 2019 as part of the fiscal year 2020 federal appropriations bill.<ref name="Money">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

UkraineEdit

In 2023, Neal was among 49 Democrats to break with President Joe Biden, by voting for a ban on cluster munitions to Ukraine.<ref>Sfortinsky, Sarah. “Almost 50 Democrats Snub Biden with Vote against Cluster Bombs for Ukraine.” The Hill, 14 July 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4097677-almost-50-democrats-snub-biden-with-vote-against-cluster-bombs-for-ukraine/.</ref><ref>“H.Amdt. 243 (Greene) to H.R. 2670: To Prohibit Cluster Munitions ... -- House Vote #317 -- Jul 13, 2023.” GovTrack.Us, https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/118-2023/h317. Accessed 16 July 2023.</ref>

AbortionEdit

Representing a relatively Catholic district, Neal has a more conservative record on abortion than other representatives from Massachusetts.<ref name="cq-2010" /> He said in 2010, "I have always opposed taxpayer funding of abortion. I'd keep Roe v. Wade and restrict it. I've always thought: keep abortion, with restrictions for late-term abortion. [Given] the voting pattern I have, both sides would say I'm mixed, and guess what? That's where the American people are."<ref name="palpini-2010" /> He voted for the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, which made the intact dilation and extraction abortion procedure illegal in most cases.<ref name="cq-2010" /> During debate on the House health care reform bill, he voted in favor of the Stupak–Pitts Amendment to restrict government funding of abortion.<ref>Bedard, Paul (November 10, 2009). "Republicans Hail the 64 'Pro-Life' Democrats Template:Webarchive." U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved June 25, 2010.</ref> In 2021 Neal was listed as an original co-sponsor of the Women's Health Protection Act.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Other social issuesEdit

On other social issues Neal has a moderate record: he supports a proposed Constitutional amendment to ban desecration of the U.S. flag, and has twice voted against an amendment to ban same-sex marriage.<ref name="cq-2010" />

Committee assignmentsEdit

Committee on Ways and Means (Ranking Member)
- As the chair of the Committee, Rep. Neal is entitled to sit as an ex officio member in all subcommittee meetings, per the committee's rules.
Joint Committee on Taxation

Caucus membershipsEdit

Congressional Arts Caucus
Afterschool Caucuses
U.S.-Japan Caucus
New England Congressional Caucus (Co-chair)
Friends of Ireland<ref name="Meet Richie"/>
Rare Disease Caucus<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personal lifeEdit

Neal is a Roman Catholic.<ref name="cq-2000" /> He lives in Springfield with his wife Maureen Neal, née Conway. They have four children: Rory Christopher, Brendan Conway, Maura Katherine, and Sean Richard.<ref name="directory">Alston, Farnsworth; Carter, Mary Ann; Randolph, Sarah (eds.) (2009). "Neal, Richard E." Congressional Directory for the 111th Congress (2009–2010). Washington: Government Printing Office. p. 127. Template:ISBN.</ref> In addition to his duties as a congressman, Neal teaches a journalism course at the University of Massachusetts Amherst called "The Politician and the Journalist".<ref name="globe-2010" />

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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Congressman Richard E. Neal official U.S. House website
Richard Neal for Congress
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