Barney Frank, the former US representative who made history as one of the first openly gay members of Congress, died on Tuesday night at the age of 86. His sister, Doris Breay, confirmed his passing to NBC10 in Boston, saying, "He was, above all else, a wonderful brother. I was lucky to be his sister."
Frank, a Democrat from Massachusetts, served in the US House of Representatives from 1981 to 2013. He had been in hospice care at his home in Maine since last month, battling congestive heart failure. In a recent interview with Politico, Frank remarked, "At 86, I’ve made it longer than I thought," adding, "At some point, my heart’s just going to give out, and it’s reaching that stage. So I’m taking it easy at home and dealing with it by relaxing."
Legacy of Financial Reform
Frank was a key figure behind the most significant overhaul of US financial regulations since the Great Depression. As chair of the House financial services committee from 2007 to 2011, he co-sponsored the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010, the legislation bolstered oversight of the financial sector, cracked down on predatory lending practices, and expanded consumer protections in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis.
Tributes Pour In
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hailed Frank as a "pioneering and powerful voice for the LGBTQ community" and noted that his name is "synonymous with the strongest consumer financial protections in history." Pelosi stated, "As the first Member to come out as gay publicly, Chairman Frank was a pioneering and powerful voice for the LGBTQ community. All were moved by how he spoke about the discrimination he faced."
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey described Frank as "one of a kind" and "a giant in public life who helped change Massachusetts and America for the better." She added, "In Congress, Barney fought tirelessly for working people, civil rights, and LGBTQ+ equality. He was brilliant, fearless, quick-witted, and never afraid to say exactly what was on his mind."
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also paid tribute, saying, "Seeing coverage of Congress as a young man in Indiana, I remember watching Barney Frank run circles around bad-faith arguments with his formidable intellect and unique political style. Years later, I’m not sure I would have had the chance to serve if Barney Frank hadn’t demonstrated that courage, commitment, and skill can matter more than others’ imagination about what voters are ‘ready’ for. He will be missed, and remembered, for generations."
Frank is survived by his husband, Jim Ready, two sisters, and a brother. Jim Segel, Frank’s former campaign manager and close friend, confirmed his death to the Associated Press.
