Former Congressman Barney Frank Passes Away at 86
Barney Frank, the former Democratic Congressman from Massachusetts, has died at the age of 86 after battling congestive heart failure.
Frank is widely recognized for his pivotal role in the Dodd-Frank Act, which he expressed pride in during his lifetime. He had been under hospice care since April due to his heart condition. His political career spanned from 1981 to 2013, and he chaired the House Financial Services Committee from 2007 to 2011.
While receiving hospice care at his home in Ogunquit, Maine, he remarked that he was feeling “very good, no pain, no discomfort.” He reflected on his long life, stating, “At 86 years old, I’ve lived longer than I expected.” Frank acknowledged his condition, saying, “At some point, my heart is failing and it’s getting to that point. So I’m coping by staying home and resting and relaxing.”
In his later years, Frank provided counsel to the Democratic Party, advocating for moderation on certain social issues. He emphasized that merely remaining silent on topics like police funding and border policies wasn’t sufficient. “We need to reject it unequivocally,” he said.
Just weeks before his passing, Frank appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union,” where he discussed the need for the Democratic Party to reconsider its stance on social topics. His candid insights highlighted his belief that mainstream discussions had often overlooked issues of inequality.
Reflecting on his experiences, Frank noted that he had been an advocate for gay rights since 1972 and discussed the evolution of the same-sex marriage movement. He expressed the importance of prioritizing more widely accepted issues before addressing contentious topics.
He further commented on the complexities faced by the transgender community in relation to sports, suggesting that discussions should be approached with nuance rather than labeling dissenters as homophobic.
His sister, Doris Bray, shared her sentiments, saying, “He was above all a great brother. I was lucky to be his sister.”
