SPRINGFIELD—The Democratic primary in Massachusetts left the federal delegation’s deans in place. Congressman Richard Neal and US Senator Ed Markey, both facing primary challenges, beat back their opposition, depriving younger and often leftier challengers before primaries conclude this month. Down ballot, however, incumbency was less effective as tool for reelection.
CHICOPEE—The first and only face-to-face debate in the 1st Congressional District’s Democratic primary saw some heat and a bevy of accusations. US Representative Richard Neal and challenger Jeromie Whalen, an educator from South Hadley, traded blows on healthcare, Social Security and, arguably, the very essence of the democratic process itself.
More than four months after oral arguments, a panel of federal judges have effectively revived a suit that seeks to restore the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change (ECJCC) grant program. Last year Springfield and a motley band of municipalities and nonprofits sued the Environmental Protection Agency for illegally terminating the program.
In his opening remarks at a hearing with US Health & Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr., Springfield Congressman and Ways & Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal alluded to their shared, if indirect history. As a young man, Neal supported Kennedy’s father, the OG Bobby Kennedy. Twelve years later, Neal was a delegate for Senator Edward Kennedy.
Republicans in the United State House of Representatives jammed through their budget and spending bill this week. Given their rank in the Democratic caucus, both reps for Western Massachusetts featured prominently in the debate.
UPDATED 1/8/25 8:14PM: To include confirmation of Boyle’s status on another committee and to note Democratic assignments for subcommittees. As the 119th Congress and its House of Representatives settles in, the latter’s committees are beginning to take shape. Neither party changed leaders on the Committee.
With less than four months until this Congress expires and two months before voters choose who will rule the next one, Democrats are reorganizing their side of the House Ways & Means Committee. This comes after the passing of a long-serving member, New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell.
The election dominated 2023 in Springfield in a way that elections rarely have. Only the rise of ward representation stands as a fair comparison. But while 2009, as an election year, changed Springfield, 2023 revealed and not necessarily in ways that should flatter the city.
On the state and national levels, there was impact on the city. Yet, it was somewhat less when compared to other years.
With attempts to tie President Joe Biden to his prodigal son sputtering, the Republican US House of Representatives is upgrading its investigation to an impeachment inquiry. Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Tuesday that he was formally charging committees with commencing a probe
Some weeks after the drama of the election for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Republican-controlled body has begun organizing committees. That includes the two panels Western Massachusetts’s reps once chaired.