Richard E. Neal
U.S. House · MA-1 · Democrats · since 2025
alsoCandidate for U.S. House · MA-1
Biography
Overview
Richard E. Neal is a Democratic U.S. Representative from Massachusetts's 1st congressional district, serving since 1989. He is the dean of Massachusetts's delegation to the House and the dean of the New England House delegations since 2013. Previously, Neal served as mayor of Springfield from 1983 to 1989 and as president of the Springfield City Council from 1979 to 1983. Born in Worcester in 1949, he grew up in Springfield. He is known for his focus on economic policy, tax reform, and U.S.–Ireland relations, particularly his work to maintain American involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process.
Career
Neal's legislative achievements include successfully pushing to exempt a child tax credit from the Alternative Minimum Tax in 1998, with the exemption made permanent in 2001. He led the effort on H.R. 6081, requiring federal contractors to pay federal taxes for offshore-hired workers, which passed both houses unanimously and was signed into law in May 2008. He introduced the bipartisan SECURE Act of 2019, which expanded access to retirement planning options and became law in December 2019. As mayor of Springfield from 1983 to 1989, he oversaw over $400 million in development and investment, maintained a city budget surplus, and initiated historic preservation and clean city efforts. He has been recognized for his work on Irish affairs, being inducted into the Irish American Hall of Fame in January 2020 and receiving the International Leadership Award from The American Ireland Fund in 2002.
Prior political experience
Neal was first elected to the U.S. House in 1988, running unopposed in the Democratic primary after 18-term incumbent Edward Boland retired and gave him advance notice. He defeated Communist Party candidate Louis R. Godena with over 80% of the vote. In 1990, he defeated former mayor Theodore Dimauro in the primary and was unopposed in the general election with 68% of the vote. In 1992, he won with 53% despite involvement in the House banking scandal. In 1994, he defeated John Briare with 59% of the vote after spending nearly $500,000 in the final two weeks. Since 1994, he has faced little electoral opposition. In 2018, he defeated Springfield attorney Tahirah Amatul-Wadud in the primary 70.7% to 29.3% and ran unopposed in the general election. In 2020, Holyoke mayor Alex Morse challenged him unsuccessfully in the primary; he was unopposed in the general election. In 2022, he defeated Republican Dean Martilli with 61.4% of the vote. In 2024, he defeated independent candidate Nadia Milleron with 62.4% of the vote.
Biographical material adapted from the Wikipedia article (retrieved April 29, 2026), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Ideology
Liberal–Conservative (DW-NOMINATE dim 1)
Secondary axis (DW-NOMINATE dim 2)(?)
Campaigns targeting Richard E. Neal
No active campaigns target Richard E. Neal right now.
Start a campaign targeting Richard E. NealOfficeholding history
| Term | Seat | Term dates | Termination | Predecessor | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th | U.S. House MA-1 | 2025–present | In progress | Richard E. Neal | — |
| 6th | U.S. House MA-1 | 2023–2025 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Richard E. Neal |
| 5th | U.S. House MA-1 | 2021–2023 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Richard E. Neal |
| 4th | U.S. House MA-1 | 2019–2021 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Richard E. Neal |
| 3rd | U.S. House MA-1 | 2017–2019 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Richard E. Neal |
| 2nd | U.S. House MA-1 | 2015–2017 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Richard E. Neal |
| 1st | U.S. House MA-1 | 2013–2015 | Term ended | — | Richard E. Neal |
| 12th | U.S. House MA-2 | 2011–2013 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Jim McGovern |
| 11th | U.S. House MA-2 | 2009–2011 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Richard E. Neal |
| 10th | U.S. House MA-2 | 2007–2009 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Richard E. Neal |
| 9th | U.S. House MA-2 | 2005–2007 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Richard E. Neal |
| 8th | U.S. House MA-2 | 2003–2005 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Richard E. Neal |
| 7th | U.S. House MA-2 | 2001–2003 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Richard E. Neal |
| 6th | U.S. House MA-2 | 1999–2001 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Richard E. Neal |
| 5th | U.S. House MA-2 | 1997–1999 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Richard E. Neal |
| 4th | U.S. House MA-2 | 1995–1997 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Richard E. Neal |
| 3rd | U.S. House MA-2 | 1993–1995 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Richard E. Neal |
| 2nd | U.S. House MA-2 | 1991–1993 | Term ended | Richard E. Neal | Richard E. Neal |
| 1st | U.S. House MA-2 | 1989–1991 | Term ended | — | Richard E. Neal |
Committee assignments
- HouseRanking Member· 2025–present
- joint· 2025–present
Current term legislation
Bills sponsored this term3
- H.R. 8060
To reauthorize funding for programs to prevent, investigate, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and for other purposes.
Mar 24, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6722
Automatic IRA Act of 2025
Dec 15, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 1337
To add Ireland to the E3 nonimmigrant visa program.
Feb 13, 2025IN_COMMITTEE
Bills cosponsored this term10
- H.R. 7973
Momnibus Act
Mar 18, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7805
Trade Adjustment Assistance Modernization Act
Mar 4, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7736
RELIEF Act
Feb 26, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7615
RELIEF Act
Feb 20, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7481
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
Feb 11, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7016
No Funds for NATO Invasion Act
Jan 12, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6397
Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act
Dec 3, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6166
Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act
Nov 20, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6088
Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025
Nov 18, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6056
International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025
Nov 17, 2025IN_COMMITTEE
Elections
| Year | Seat | Result | Vote share | Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | U.S. House MA-1 | Pending | 58.01% |
|