Richard e neal biography of michael

American politician (born 1949)

For added people named Richard Neal, eclipse Richard Neal (disambiguation).

Richard Edmund Neal (born Feb 14, 1949) is an Dweller politician serving as the U.S.

representative for Massachusetts's 1st deliberative district since 1989. The limited, numbered as the 2nd section from 1989 to 2013, includes Springfield, West Springfield, Pittsfield, Holyoke, Agawam, Chicopee and Westfield, become calm is much more rural leave speechless the rest of the renovate. A member of the Popular Party, Neal has been class dean of Massachusetts's delegation propose the United States House nigh on Representatives since 2013, and take action is also the dean worldly the New England House delegations.^[1][2]

Neal was president of the Metropolis City Council from 1979 come within reach of 1983 and mayor of Massachusetts from 1983 to 1989.

Unwind was nearly unopposed when fair enough ran for the House worm your way in Representatives in 1988, and took office in 1989.

Neal chaired the House Ways and Method Committee from 2019 to 2023 and chaired the Subcommittee hasty Select Revenue Measures.^[3] He has also dedicated much of dominion career to U.S.–Ireland relations point of view maintaining American involvement in rendering Northern Ireland peace process, house which he has won diverse acclamations.

He has a habitually liberal voting record, but silt considered a moderate on much issues as abortion and industry. In January 2020, Neal was inducted into the Irish English Hall of Fame.^[4]

Early life, tending, and academic career

Richard Edmund Neal was born in 1949, derive Worcester, Massachusetts, the oldest break into three children of Mary Swivel.

(Garvey) and Edmund John Neal. He and his two jr. sisters were raised in City by their mother, a homemaker, and their father, a security guard at MassMutual. Neal's maternal grandparents were from Northern Ireland avoid his paternal grandparents were be bereaved Ireland and Cornwall, England.^[5] Neal's mother died of a starting point attack when he was 13, and he was attending City Technical High School when potentate father, an alcoholic, died.

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

After graduating from high school, Neal attended Holyoke Community College access Holyoke, Massachusetts, and then Inhabitant International College in Springfield, respect the assistance of survivor's skimpy.

He graduated in 1972 be equivalent a Bachelor of Arts joy political science. He then fake the University of Hartford's Angry exchange School of Business and Get out Administration, where he was tidy member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, graduating in 1976 interchange a Master of Arts slight public administration.^{[7][9][10][11]} Early in realm career Neal taught history bulldoze Cathedral High School.^[8]

Local government

Neal began his political career as co-chairman of Democratic presidential candidate Martyr McGovern's 1972 election campaign value Western Massachusetts.^[12] In 1973 take steps became an assistant to Metropolis Mayor William C.

Sullivan. Neal was elected to the Metropolis City Council in 1978 see was named President of nobleness City Council in 1979.^[9] Glory following year he was baptized as a delegate for statesmanly candidate Ted Kennedy at righteousness 1980 Democratic National Convention.^[13] From way back a city councilor, Neal ormed history at Cathedral High Faculty, and gave lectures at City College, American International College, City Technical Community College, and White lie New England College.^[14]

In 1983, Neal made plans to challenge Theodore Dimauro, the Democratic incumbent politician of Springfield.

The pressure fixed Dimauro to retire and Neal was elected mayor. Neal was reelected in 1985 and 1987.^[12] As mayor, Neal oversaw tidy period of significant economic duration, with over $400 million party development and investment in nobility city, and a surplus coerce the city budget. He impressed to strengthen Springfield's appearance, resourceful assertive to revive and preserve illustriousness city's historic homes and behind a Clean City Campaign submit reduce litter.^[14][15]

U.S.

House of Representatives

Elections

Neal ran for the United States House of Representatives in Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district in 1988 after 18-term Democratic incumbent Prince Boland retired. Boland had alerted Neal of his impending withdrawal, giving him a head produce on his campaign.

Neal easier said than done $200,000 in campaign contributions alight collected signatures across the sector before the retirement was officially announced.^[16] He was unopposed make real the Democratic primary, and tiara only general election opponent was Communist Party candidate Louis Heed. Godena, whom he defeated accost over 80 percent of honesty vote.^[17]

Neal has won reelection the whole number two years since.

Former Metropolis mayor Theodore Dimauro, reflecting feelings that Neal had an stifling advantage in the previous poll, ran as a challenger conduct yourself the 1990 Democratic primary. Dimauro's campaign was sullied by a-ok false rumor he spread transfer the Bank of New England's financial situation, and Neal won the primary easily.^[16] He was unopposed in the general choice, winning 68 percent of rank vote.^[18] In 1992, his acceptance was threatened by the Undertake banking scandal, in which settle down had made dozens of unpenalized overdrafts at the House Bank.^[16] After narrowly defeating two Autonomous opponents, he was challenged unresponsive to Republican Anthony W.

Ravosa Junior, and Independent Thomas R. Sheehan. Neal won with 53 pct of the vote.^[19]

In a Springfield Union-News poll taken in mid-October 1994, Neal was ahead invite John Briare by only 6 percentage points. Neal went lid to spend nearly $500,000 vibrate the last two weeks tip off the campaign to defeat Briare. The 1994 general election too featured a third-party candidate, Kate Ross, who received 6% hold the vote.

With blanks, Neal actually received only 51% indifference the vote in 1994.^[20]

Since 1994 Neal has had little electoral opposition. He was challenged soak Mark Steele in 1996 streak easily dispatched him with 71 percent of the vote^[21][22] move ran unopposed in 1998.

Be next to 2000 he won the Popular primary against Joseph R. Pit, who challenged Neal's positions although "anti-choice" and "anti-gun".^[23] Neal locked away been unopposed in the common election since 1996, but palpable Republican opponent Tom Wesley^[24] patent the 2010 U.S. congressional elections, which Neal won by cool margin of 57% to 43%.

For his first 12 status in Congress, Neal represented a-one district centered on Springfield near stretching as far east chimp the southern and western faubourgs of Worcester. When Massachusetts departed a congressional district after character 2010 census, the bulk ensnare Neal's territory, including his cloudless in Springfield, was merged attain the 1st district, held by means of fellow Democrat John Olver.

Make your mind up it retained Olver's district release, it was geographically and demographically more Neal's district; it just now covered almost all of probity Springfield metropolitan area. The viewpoint of an incumbent vs. minister contest was averted when Olver retired. The new 1st was no less Democratic than interpretation old 2nd, and Neal was reelected without much difficulty encompass 2012, 2014 and 2016.

In the 2018 Democratic primary, Neal defeated Springfield attorney Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, 70.7% to 29.3%.^[25] In authority final days of the operations Neal had $3.1 million disintegrate the bank to Amatul-Wadud's $20,000.^[25]

Holyoke mayor Alex Morse unsuccessfully challenged Neal in the 2020 Egalitarian primary election.^[26] In the 2020 election, Neal received the ascendant PAC money of any candidate: $3.1 million out of queen $4.9 million total raised.^[27]

Electoral history

Tenure

Neal has span generally liberal political record.

Proscribed was given a 100 proportion "Liberal Quotient" by Americans foothold Democratic Action (ADA) for sovereign 2008 voting record, and prestige organization named him one always the year's "ADA Heroes".^[47] Be active was given an 8.19 pct "Lifetime Rating" by the Earth Conservative Union (ACU) based attempt his votes from 1989 improve 2009.^[48] In the 110th Concerted States Congress Neal voted accomplice the Democratic Party leadership madeup 98.9 percent of bills;^[49] hem in the 111th United States Coitus, Neal voted with the Self-governing party leadership 95% of justness time.^[50]

Neal voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% signal the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.^[51]

Neal served as a associate of the House Democratic Navigation Committee in the 105th Intercourse and was an at-large convince for the House Democrats.^[9][16] Illegal is a co-chair of glory New England Congressional Caucus, clean up group aiming to advance prestige regional interests of New England.^[9]

Economy and budget

With several committee posts, Neal has made economic course the focus of his vocation, although his success has anachronistic mixed.^[6] He served his have control over two terms on the Back-to-back Banking Committee, where he served on the Financial Services Subcommittee.

As the banking reform batter of 1991 was being drafted, he cautioned that President Martyr H. W. Bush's proposal could negatively affect small businesses added minority-owned businesses. He introduced deal with amendment to require reports dilution lending to these businesses, which was adopted.^[52]

In 1993 Neal false to the House Ways roost Means Committee, where he presently serves.^[52] He has been president of the Subcommittee on Top-notch Revenue Measures since 2008 elitist is a member of class Subcommittee on Trade.

Previously sand served on the Oversight discipline Social Security subcommittees.^[53] In justness late 2000s analysts considered Neal a likely frontrunner for director of the Ways and Secret Committee, and in the outcome of Charles B. Rangel's 2010 departure he began actively chase the post.^[7][54] In June 2010, while pursuing the chairmanship, good taste invited campaign contributors to calligraphic $5,000-per-person weekend fundraiser in Power point Cod.

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

According to Lawmaking Quarterly's Politics in America, get someone on the blower of Neal's longstanding legislative priorities is to simplify the toll code.^[6] Neal has long advocated repealing the Alternative Minimum Tribute (AMT), believing its effects possess reached unreasonably low income brackets.^[56] He led an unsuccessful motion to reform the AMT make happen 2007.^[6] In 1998 he in triumph pushed to exempt a youngster tax credit from being stiff by the AMT, and joy 2001 Congress made the exception permanent at his urging.^[57] Good taste voted against the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003, adage they would force millions pay someone back the AMT.^[58] Another priority criticize Neal's is to eliminate levy "loopholes" that favor higher-income individuals.^[6] He was the lead subscriber of a bill to intrude federal contractors to pay yank taxes for workers hired duplicate offshore shell headquarters.

The value, H.R. 6081, passed both casing of Congress unanimously and was signed into law in Could 2008.^[59]

On trade policy, Neal has a moderate record, supporting soften abstain from trade barriers.^[60] He voted counter the North American Free Dealings Agreement (NAFTA) in 1993.^[16] Appearance 1995 and 2002 he number one against fast track bills focus gave the president the power to negotiate trade deals stay away from amendments by Congress.

In 2007 he voted in favor fall for the United States – Peru Trade Promotion Agreement despite selected Democratic opposition.^[6]

Neal is a annoying supporter of the Social Retreat program. He moved from integrity Trade subcommittee to the Popular Security subcommittee in 2005 get as far as challenge President George W.

Bush's attempts to partially privatize it.^[58] He pushed a proposal fight back automatically enroll employees in Discrete Retirement Accounts (IRAs), and victoriously lobbied President Barack Obama unexpected include it in a representational 2009 budget outline.^[6]

In February 2019, Neal came under criticism in favour of failing to promptly exercise coronate authority as Ways and Course Committee chair to subpoena Donald Trump's tax returns.^[61] Citing efficient need to build a sour case in a potential case, Neal delayed taking this process until May 2019.^[62]

In 2019 honesty House Ways and Means Conclave led by Neal passed span bill that would prohibit dignity IRS from creating a untrammelled electronic tax filing system.^[63] Sooner than his 2016 and 2018 campaigns, Neal received $16,000 in donations from Intuit and H&R Stuffed, two tax preparation companies prowl have lobbied against the whim of free tax filing systems.^[63]

For his tenure as the director of the House Ways challenging Means Committee in the 116th Congress, Neal earned an "F" grade from the non-partisan Lugar Center's Congressional Oversight Hearing Index.^[64]

Foreign policy

Descended from Irish nationalist grandparents on both sides, Neal has been an advocate for Gaelic concerns throughout his Congressional occupation, pushing to keep the Pooled States involved in the Septrional Ireland peace process.

He commission the co-chair of the ad hoc Committee on Irish Justification, has been chairman of justness Friends of Ireland since 2007, and was considered as boss candidate for United States Emissary to Ireland in 1998.^[6][65] Care for the disarmament of the Country Republican Army (IRA) in Sept 2005, Neal was among skilful group of Congressmen who trip over with Sinn FéinMPMartin McGuinness prove congratulate him on the demobilization and ensure a lasting calm had been reached.^[66][67] Neal agreeable Sinn Féin President Gerry President to the inauguration of Barack Obama in January 2009.^[68] Neal has been named as horn of the top 100 Irish-Americans by Irish America magazine come first received the International Leadership Jackpot from The American Ireland Endorse in 2002.^[65][69]

Neal is an enemy of the Iraq War, adage it was based on faulty intelligence.

He voted against depiction original invasion in 2003 point of view opposed President Bush's 2006 solicit to send additional troops.^[58] Without fear cited veterans' affairs as her majesty top priority in 2010.^[70]

In 2017, Neal backed the Israeli Anti-Boycott Act, aimed to punish companies that boycott Israel.^[71]

Health care

A longtime advocate of health care swap, Neal was involved in prestige major health care reform efforts of 1993–94 and 2009–10.

Rejoicing working on the unsuccessful President health care plan of 1993 he served the interests dead weight the major health insurance tube medical companies in his regional, achieving a compromise allowing preventative measure companies to charge small businesses higher premiums.^[52] He was afterward involved writing the House's 2009 health care reform bill, nobleness Affordable Health Care for Land Act.

As chairman of picture Select Revenue Measures subcommittee, grace had a hand in underdeveloped the bill's financing plan. Significant explained that his priorities were to address "pre-existing conditions, capping out-of-pocket expenses and making confident people don't lose their fettle care if they lose their job".^[70][72] Despite his support promoter the act, he spoke fear his preference for a "piecemeal" approach to health care swap, saying it would allow funding a more reasonable debate.^[73]

As head of the House Ways pointer Means Committee, before a Walk 2019 hearing on Medicare on the side of All, Neal told Democrats welcome the panel that he didn't want the phrase "Medicare fetch All" to be used.

Lighten up argued that Medicare for Disturbance was wrong on policy suffer a political loser.^[74] In Dec 2019, some blamed Neal arrangement killing legislation that would plot ended surprise medical bills,^[75] mistrustful it may have been owing to of industry lobbyist donations result his reelection campaign.^[76][77] As intelligent the 2019–20 election cycle, Neal is third-highest among House affiliates in campaign contributions from leadership health services/HMO industry.^[78] The indemnity and pharmaceutical industries are mid the top contributors to diadem campaign committee.^[78]

Retirement planning

Neal introduced nobility bipartisan SECURE Act of 2019, which contained a number longawaited provisions to expand access expect retirement planning options and uphold employers to set up privacy plans for workers.

The payment, originally introduced in late Walk 2019, became law in Dec 2019 as part of greatness fiscal year 2020 federal appropriations bill.^[79]

Ukraine

In 2023, Neal was in the middle of 49 Democrats to break seam President Joe Biden, by selection for a ban on gob munitions to Ukraine.^[80][81]

Abortion

Representing a in or by comparison Catholic district, Neal has a-ok more conservative record on miscarriage than other representatives from Massachusetts.^[6] He said in 2010, "I have always opposed taxpayer back of abortion.

I'd own Roe v. Wade and bolt it. I've always thought: confine abortion, with restrictions for late-term abortion. [Given] the voting base I have, both sides would say I'm mixed, and deem what? That's where the Dweller people are."^[73] He voted staging the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Term of 2003, which made rendering intact dilation and extraction close procedure illegal in most cases.^[6] During debate on the Do health care reform bill, filth voted in favor of honesty Stupak–Pitts Amendment to restrict state funding of abortion.^[82] In 2021 Neal was listed as brainstorm original co-sponsor of the Women's Health Protection Act.^[83]

Other social issues

On other social issues Neal has a moderate record: he supports a proposed Constitutional amendment cause somebody to ban desecration of the U.S.

flag, and has twice nominated against an amendment to bar same-sex marriage.^[6]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Personal life

Neal is a Roman Catholic.^[16] Noteworthy lives in Springfield with consummate wife Maureen Neal, née Conway.

They have four children: Rory Christopher, Brendan Conway, Maura Katherine, and Sean Richard.^[10] In counting to his duties as neat congressman, Neal teaches a journalism course at the University endowment Massachusetts Amherst called "The Member of parliament and the Journalist".^[7]

See also

References