Neal, Richard E.

Richard E. Neal represents Massachusetts's 1st Congressional District and serves as ranking member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, the chamber's most powerful committee on fiscal policy. As ranking member, he leads the Democratic opposition on the committee and shapes the party's positions on taxation, trade policy, Social Security, and Medicare. Before his current role, Neal chaired the committee from 2019 to 2023, when Democrats held the majority.

Neal was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on February 14, 1949, and grew up in Springfield. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from American International College and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Hartford. Before entering Congress, he served as mayor of Springfield from 1983 to 1989 and as a member of the Springfield City Council. He was first elected to the House in 1988 and has served continuously since 1989, making him the dean of the Massachusetts delegation and the New England House delegations.

During his tenure as committee chair, Neal played a central role in major economic legislation. He helped shape the CARES Act during the COVID-19 pandemic, which included federal unemployment compensation and economic assistance payments. He also led efforts on the American Rescue Plan Act, where the Ways and Means Committee was responsible for nearly $1 trillion of the $1.9 trillion package, and the Inflation Reduction Act, which included provisions to lower healthcare costs, allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, and invest in climate initiatives. As ranking member, Neal continues to advocate for tax code simplification, expanded retirement savings options, and protection of Social Security and Medicare.

Neal has long focused his legislative work on economic policy and has been a staunch advocate for healthcare access and fairer taxation. He introduced the bipartisan SECURE Act of 2019 to expand retirement planning options for workers. Beyond his committee work, he has been deeply involved in Irish-American relations and played a prominent role in supporting the Good Friday Agreement. He serves as an at-large whip for House Democrats and co-chairs the New England Congressional Caucus.