New England Public Radio

Neal Says Trump Nomination Puts Senate Republican Majority At Risk

Congressman Richie Neal says Republicans may lose a lot more than the White House in November, now that’s it clear Donald Trump will be the GOP nominee. Neal, a Springfield Democrat, is backing Hillary Clinton for president.

“If the Republican National Chairperson, Reince Preibus, were here, as well as what we call the gray hairs of the Republican Party, I think that they would acknowledge that the Senate is now in jeopardy,” Neal said Wednesday.

Neither Massachusetts Senate seat will be in play in November. But in New Hampshire, the latest poll shows Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan is in a dead heat with incumbent Senator Kelly Ayotte.

Entire New England Congressional Delegation Backs Budget Bill

Both chambers of Congress Wednesday night passed a deal to end the government shutdown and avoid default. The compromise, crafted by Senate leaders, was supported by every representative and senator from New England states.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Richie Neal of Massachusetts says the entire debate was about paying for previous commitments, including assistance for veterans who served in wars approved by Congress.

“To have shut this government down was not only wrongful, but the decent people across this country who were hurt by this irresponsible manner of conduct in this House remains reprehensible,” Neal says.

Among the Republicans who supported the deal was New Hampshire U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte. Ayotte says she never supported the strategy to defund the Affordable Care Act because she says she knew it would not work. She says the government shutdown has been “absurd” for the American people.

“We can’t go through this again,” Ayotte says. “And it is incumbent upon all of us to work together, even though we come from different parties, so that we don’t go from crisis to crisis in managing this nation.”

Ayotte says she hopes the short-term agreement leads to longer term solutions to the nation’s rising debt.