Barney Frank, the outspoken former Massachusetts congressman who championed Wall Street reform and LGBTQ rights, has died at 86. His sister, Doris Breay, confirmed his death to ABC News. Frank served in the U.S. House of Representatives for over 30 years and was a leading co-sponsor of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, a major financial regulatory overhaul following the 2008 financial crisis. He became one of the first openly gay members of Congress in 1987 and later married his longtime partner, Jim Ready, in 2012, becoming the first sitting lawmaker to enter into a same-sex marriage.
Frank represented Massachusetts' 4th Congressional District from 1981 to 2013. He chaired the House Financial Services Committee from 2007 to 2011 and was known for his sharp wit and progressive policies. In his later years, Frank criticized the Democratic Party for moving too far left, warning that such a shift could alienate voters. He had been receiving hospice care at his home in Maine since April due to congestive heart failure.
Frank's legacy includes his work on financial regulation, LGBTQ rights, and his role as a mentor to many in Congress. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described him as a progressive and an idealist who combined pragmatism with idealism to achieve legislative goals. Frank's death was mourned by colleagues and advocates across the political spectrum, who remembered him as a trailblazer and a dedicated public servant.