Richard E. Neal represents Massachusetts's 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, a position he has held since 1989. He serves on the influential Ways and Means Committee and the Joint Committee on Taxation, having previously served as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee from 2019 to 2023. Before his congressional service, Neal served as Mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts from 1984 to 1989. His legislative work has focused on tax policy, healthcare, retirement security, and U.S.-Ireland relations.

Name

Richard E. Neal

Party

Democratic

State

Massachusetts

District

MA-1

Committees

Ways and Means Committee, Joint Committee on Taxation

Key Fact 1

Richard E. Neal has represented Massachusetts's 1st Congressional District since January 1989, making him one of the most senior members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation.

Key Fact 2

He served as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee from 2019 to 2023, one of the most powerful positions in Congress with jurisdiction over tax policy, trade, and Social Security.

Key Fact 3

Neal served as Mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts from 1984 to 1989 before his election to Congress.

Key Fact 4

He is a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee and serves on the Joint Committee on Taxation.

Key Fact 5

Neal has been a leading voice on issues related to U.S.-Ireland relations and serves as co-chair of the Friends of Ireland Caucus.

Key Fact 6

His legislative priorities have included tax policy, healthcare reform, pension protection, and Social Security.

Key Fact 7

He played a key role in efforts to obtain former President Trump's tax returns during his chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee.

Key Fact 8

Neal graduated from American International College and earned a master's degree in public administration from the University of Hartford.

Data from Congress.gov