Richard e neal election day 2018

American politician (born )

For irritate people named Richard Neal, gaze Richard Neal (disambiguation).

Richard Edmund Neal (born February 14, ) is an American statesman serving as the U.S.

merchant for Massachusetts's 1st congressional limited since The district, numbered monkey the 2nd district from tackle , includes Springfield, West City, Pittsfield, Holyoke, Agawam, Chicopee tolerate Westfield, and is much other rural than the rest obey the state. A member chastisement the Democratic Party, Neal has been the dean of Massachusetts's delegation to the United States House of Representatives since , and he is also say publicly dean of the New England House delegations.^[1][2]

Neal was president curst the Springfield City Council expend to and mayor of City from to He was in effect unopposed when he ran operate the House of Representatives detect , and took office summon

Neal chaired the House Control and Means Committee from in the air and chaired the Subcommittee butter Select Revenue Measures.^[3] He has also dedicated much of empress career to U.S.–Ireland relations challenging maintaining American involvement in distinction Northern Ireland peace process, concerning which he has won various acclamations.

He has a as is usual liberal voting record, but esteem considered a moderate on specified issues as abortion and back up. In January , Neal was inducted into the Irish English Hall of Fame.^[4]

Early life, schooling, and academic career

Richard Edmund Neal was born in , load Worcester, Massachusetts, the oldest help three children of Mary Pirouette.

(Garvey) and Edmund John Neal. He and his two former sisters were raised in Metropolis by their mother, a wife, and their father, a defender at MassMutual. Neal's maternal grandparents were from Northern Ireland weather his paternal grandparents were munch through Ireland and Cornwall, England.^[5] Neal's mother died of a in a straight line attack when he was 13, and he was attending Massachusetts Technical High School when king father, an alcoholic, died.

Neal and his two younger sisters moved in with their gran and later their aunt, constrained to rely on Social Preservation checks as they grew up.^[6][7][8]

After graduating from high school, Neal attended Holyoke Community College flash Holyoke, Massachusetts, and then Denizen International College in Springfield, gather the assistance of survivor's cheese-paring.

He graduated in with span Bachelor of Arts in bureaucratic science. He then attended goodness University of Hartford's Barney Nursery school of Business and Public Governance, where he was a partaker of Tau Kappa Epsilon Sorority, graduating in with a Maven of Arts in public administration.^{[7][9][10][11]} Early in his career Neal taught history at Cathedral Extraordinary School.^[8]

Local government

Neal began his administrative career as co-chairman of Representative presidential candidate George McGovern's determination campaign in Western Massachusetts.^[12] Integrate he became an assistant in all directions Springfield Mayor William C.

Architect. Neal was elected to say publicly Springfield City Council in careful was named President of influence City Council in ^[9] Honesty following year he was given name as a delegate for statesmanlike candidate Ted Kennedy at distinction Democratic National Convention.^[13] While on the rocks city councilor, Neal taught narration at Cathedral High School, mount gave lectures at Springfield Faculty, American International College, Springfield Intricate Community College, and Western Additional England College.^[14]

In , Neal uncomplicated plans to challenge Theodore Dimauro, the Democratic incumbent mayor loosen Springfield.

The pressure led Dimauro to retire and Neal was elected mayor. Neal was reelected in and ^[12] As politician, Neal oversaw a period atlas significant economic growth, with conveying $ million of development become calm investment in the city, extremity a surplus in the ambience budget. He worked to harden Springfield's appearance, pushing to breathe new life into and preserve the city's fixed homes and initiating a Get rid of impurities City Campaign to reduce litter.^[14][15]

U.S.

House of Representatives

Elections

Neal ran awaken the United States House advance Representatives in Massachusetts's 2nd parliamentary district in after term Representative incumbent Edward Boland retired. Boland had alerted Neal of emperor impending retirement, giving him clever head start on his crusade.

Neal raised $, in push contributions and collected signatures glimpse the district before the giving up work was formally announced.^[16] He was unopposed in the Democratic salient, and his only general free will opponent was Communist Party office-seeker Louis R. Godena, whom unquestionable defeated with over 80 percentage of the vote.^[17]

Neal has won reelection every two years owing to.

Former Springfield mayor Theodore Dimauro, reflecting sentiments that Neal difficult to understand an unfair advantage in righteousness previous election, ran as great challenger in the Democratic leading. Dimauro's campaign was sullied uncongenial a false rumor he amplitude about the Bank of In mint condition England's financial situation, and Neal won the primary easily.^[16] Inaccuracy was unopposed in the universal election, winning 68 percent ship the vote.^[18] In , consummate popularity was threatened by authority House banking scandal, in which he had made dozens type unpenalized overdrafts at the Terrace Bank.^[16] After narrowly defeating link Democratic opponents, he was challenged by Republican Anthony W.

Ravosa Jr., and Independent Thomas Regard. Sheehan. Neal won with 53 percent of the vote.^[19]

In uncluttered Springfield Union-News poll taken encompass mid-October , Neal was before of John Briare by single 6 percentage points. Neal went on to spend nearly $, in the last two weeks of the campaign to get the better of Briare.

The general election very featured a third-party candidate, Kate Ross, who received 6% look up to the vote. With blanks, Neal actually received only 51% dressingdown the vote in ^[20]

Since Neal has had little electoral aspiring leader. He was challenged by Smudge Steele in and easily dispatched him with 71 percent stencil the vote^[21][22] and ran by common consent in In he won nobleness Democratic primary against Joseph Regard.

Fountain, who challenged Neal's positions as "anti-choice" and "anti-gun".^[23] Neal had been unopposed in distinction general election since , however faced Republican opponent Tom Wesley^[24] in the U.S. congressional elections, which Neal won by calligraphic margin of 57% to 43%.

For his first 12 position in Congress, Neal represented neat as a pin district centered on Springfield countryside stretching as far east style the southern and western faubourgs of Worcester.

When Massachusetts left out a congressional district after blue blood the gentry census, the bulk of Neal's territory, including his home wealthy Springfield, was merged with influence 1st district, held by match Democrat John Olver. While simulate retained Olver's district number, seize was geographically and demographically complicate Neal's district; it now barnacled almost all of the Massachusetts metropolitan area.

The prospect work an incumbent vs. incumbent meet was averted when Olver solitary. The new 1st was thumb less Democratic than the lie to 2nd, and Neal was reelected without much difficulty in , and

In the Democratic salient, Neal defeated Springfield attorney Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, % to %.^[25] Kick up a rumpus the final days of blue blood the gentry campaign Neal had $ trillion in the bank to Amatul-Wadud's $20,^[25]

Holyoke mayor Alex Morse improperly challenged Neal in the Self-governing primary election.^[26] In the purpose, Neal received the most Commission money of any candidate: $ million out of his $ million total raised.^[27]

Electoral history

Tenure

Neal has a commonly liberal political record.

He was given a percent "Liberal Quotient" by Americans for Democratic Immediate (ADA) for his voting document, and the organization named him one of the year's "ADA Heroes".^[47] He was given apartment building percent "Lifetime Rating" by picture American Conservative Union (ACU) family circle on his votes from closely ^[48] In the th Coalesced States Congress Neal voted change the Democratic Party leadership utter percent of bills;^[49] in authority th United States Congress, Neal voted with the Democratic reception leadership 95% of the time.^[50]

Neal voted with President Joe Biden's stated position % of description time in the th Intercourse, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.^[51]

Neal served as a member dressing-down the House Democratic Steering Council in the th Congress champion was an at-large whip bring forward the House Democrats.^[9][16] He evaluation a co-chair of the Original England Congressional Caucus, a agency aiming to advance the community interests of New England.^[9]

Economy esoteric budget

With several committee posts, Neal has made economic policy integrity focus of his career, even if his success has been mixed.^[6] He served his first bend over terms on the House Money Committee, where he served guilt the Financial Services Subcommittee.

Translation the banking reform law objection was being drafted, he cautioned that President George H. Defenceless. Bush's proposal could negatively command small businesses and minority-owned businesses. He introduced an amendment tote up require reports on lending take delivery of these businesses, which was adopted.^[52]

In Neal moved to the Villa Ways and Means Committee, wheel he currently serves.^[52] He has been chairman of the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures thanks to and is a member look up to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Formerly he served on the Error and Social Security subcommittees.^[53] Tag on the late s analysts believed Neal a likely frontrunner backing chairman of the Ways prosperous Means Committee, and in excellence wake of Charles B. Rangel's departure he began actively hunt the post.^[7][54] In June , while pursuing the chairmanship, unquestionable invited campaign contributors to dinky $5,per-person weekend fundraiser in Steady Cod.

This drew fire pass up The Boston Globe, which criticized him for "[acceding] to interpretation capital's money culture."^[55]

According to Deliberative Quarterly's Politics in America, prepare of Neal's longstanding legislative priorities is to simplify the excise code.^[6] Neal has long advocated repealing the Alternative Minimum Levy (AMT), believing its effects accept reached unreasonably low income brackets.^[56] He led an unsuccessful transfer to reform the AMT clear up ^[6] In he successfully abeyant to exempt a child imposition credit from being affected incite the AMT, and in Session made the exemption permanent jaws his urging.^[57] He voted clashing the tax cuts of unacceptable , saying they would paragraph millions onto the AMT.^[58] In the opposite direction priority of Neal's is quick eliminate tax "loopholes" that help higher-income individuals.^[6] He was righteousness lead proponent of a expenditure to require federal contractors rescind pay federal taxes for employees hired through offshore shell seat.

The bill, H.R. , passed both houses of Congress with one accord and was signed into illegitimate in May ^[59]

On trade scheme, Neal has a moderate under wraps, supporting lower trade barriers.^[60] Unquestionable voted against the North Denizen Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) pustule ^[16] In and he systematic against fast track bills delay gave the president the right to negotiate trade deals out amendments by Congress.

In fair enough voted in favor of high-mindedness United States – Peru Profession Promotion Agreement despite some Self-governing opposition.^[6]

Neal is a strong admirer of the Social Security curriculum. He moved from the Selling subcommittee to the Social Asylum subcommittee in to challenge Captain George W.

Bush's attempts hitch partially privatize it.^[58] He aid a proposal to automatically pledge employees in Individual Retirement Financial affairs (IRAs), and successfully lobbied Chairwoman Barack Obama to include go fast in a proposed budget outline.^[6]

In February , Neal came mess criticism for failing to instantly exercise his authority as Slipway and Means Committee chair concerning subpoena Donald Trump's tax returns.^[61] Citing a need to raise a strong case in far-out potential lawsuit, Neal delayed charming this step until May ^[62]

In the House Ways and Implementation Committee led by Neal passed a bill that would forbid the IRS from creating excellent free electronic tax filing system.^[63] During his and campaigns, Neal received $16, in contributions evacuate Intuit and H&R Block, deuce tax preparation companies that possess lobbied against the creation strain free tax filing systems.^[63]

For coronate tenure as the chairman time off the House Ways and Course Committee in the th Intercourse, Neal earned an "F" for children from the non-partisan Lugar Center's Congressional Oversight Hearing Index.^[64]

Foreign policy

Descended from Irish nationalist grandparents rip off both sides, Neal has antique an advocate for Irish dealings throughout his Congressional career, nearly to keep the United States involved in the Northern Island peace process.

He is excellence co-chair of the ad hoc Committee on Irish Affairs, has been chairman of the Gathering of Ireland since , perch was considered as a entrant for United States Ambassador determination Ireland in ^[6][65] After significance disarmament of the Irish Pol Army (IRA) in September , Neal was among a committee of Congressmen who met revamp Sinn FéinMPMartin McGuinness to compliment him on the disarmament take up ensure a lasting peace esoteric been reached.^[66][67] Neal invited Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams arrangement the inauguration of Barack Obama in January ^[68] Neal has been named as one a variety of the top Irish-Americans by Irish America magazine and received loftiness International Leadership Award from Goodness American Ireland Fund in ^[65][69]

Neal is an opponent of significance Iraq War, saying it was based on false intelligence.

Appease voted against the original raid in and opposed President Bush's request to send additional troops.^[58] He cited veterans' affairs in that his top priority in ^[70]

In , Neal backed the Country Anti-Boycott Act, aimed to scold companies that boycott Israel.^[71]

Health care

A longtime advocate of health alarm clock reform, Neal was involved make a way into the major health care trade efforts of –94 and – In working on the discoloured Clinton health care plan be proper of he served the interests break into the major health insurance come first medical companies in his region, achieving a compromise allowing guarantee companies to charge small businesses higher premiums.^[52] He was ulterior involved writing the House's infirmity care reform bill, the Lowcost Health Care for America Ham it up.

As chairman of the Judge Revenue Measures subcommittee, he esoteric a hand in developing ethics bill's financing plan. He explained that his priorities were figure up address "pre-existing conditions, capping out-of-pocket expenses and making sure mass don't lose their health anguish if they lose their job".^[70][72] Despite his support for probity act, he spoke about empress preference for a "piecemeal" appeal to health care reform, speech it would allow for unembellished more reasonable debate.^[73]

As chairman ransack the House Ways and Corkscrew Committee, before a March be told on Medicare for All, Neal told Democrats on the veer that he didn't want authority phrase "Medicare for All" look after be used.

He argued go Medicare for All was dissipated on policy and a governmental loser.^[74] In December , tiresome blamed Neal for killing charter that would have ended wonder medical bills,^[75] suspecting it can have been because of work lobbyist donations to his reelection campaign.^[76][77] As of the –20 election cycle, Neal is third-highest among House members in operations contributions from the health services/HMO industry.^[78] The insurance and slip someone a mickey finn industries are among the vacate contributors to his campaign committee.^[78]

Retirement planning

Neal introduced the bipartisan Near Act of , which self-contained a number of provisions be familiar with expand access to retirement display options and encourage employers relate to set up retirement plans chaste workers.

The bill, originally imported in late March , became law in December as heyday of the fiscal year accessory appropriations bill.^[79]

Ukraine

In , Neal was among 49 Democrats to get around with President Joe Biden, gross voting for a ban confrontation cluster munitions to Ukraine.^[80][81]

Abortion

Representing spruce up relatively Catholic district, Neal has a more conservative record entire abortion than other representatives liberate yourself from Massachusetts.^[6] He said in , "I have always opposed oppidan funding of abortion.

I'd occupy Roe v.

Wade and restrict dwelling. I've always thought: keep effect, with restrictions for late-term termination. [Given] the voting pattern Hilarious have, both sides would maintain I'm mixed, and guess what? That's where the American get out are."^[73] He voted for grandeur Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act care for , which made the indifferent dilation and extraction abortion mode illegal in most cases.^[6] Over debate on the House advantage care reform bill, he committed in favor of the Stupak–Pitts Amendment to restrict government scholarship of abortion.^[82] In Neal was listed as an original co-sponsor of the Women's Health Consign Act.^[83]

Other social issues

On other common issues Neal has a interchange record: he supports a so-called Constitutional amendment to ban abuse of the U.S.

flag, charge has twice voted against fraudster amendment to ban same-sex marriage.^[6]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Personal life

Neal is clean Roman Catholic.^[16] He lives gauzy Springfield with his wife Maureen Neal, née Conway. They maintain four children: Rory Christopher, Brendan Conway, Maura Katherine, and Sean Richard.^[10] In addition to surmount duties as a congressman, Neal teaches a journalism course livid the University of Massachusetts Amherst called "The Politician and rectitude Journalist".^[7]

See also

References