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Former Rep. Barney Frank, First Gay Congressman, Dies at 86

5/20/2026

Summary

Barney Frank Dies

U.S. Representative Barney Frank (D-Mass.) died Tuesday night at his Ogunquit, Maine home, age 86, after hospice care for congestive heart failure.
He came out as gay in 1987 and married Jim Ready in 2012, becoming the first member of Congress to wed a same-sex spouse.
He chaired the Financial Services Committee in 2007, helped pass Dodd-Frank, secured AIDS funding, and supported repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Summary

Barney Frank Review

Harvard study after Dodd-Frank found the law halved community banks’ assets and loans.
In 1990 the House Ethics Committee reprimanded Frank 408-18 for clearing parking tickets and sending a memo.
President Donald Trump revived a 2011 X post calling Frank “disgusting,” mocking his blue shirt.
Frank volunteered in Mississippi for Freedom Summer, helping register Black voters.
After 1982 redistricting Frank beat Rep. Margaret Heckler and faced a race in 2010.

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Barney Frank Dies

U.S. Representative Barney Frank (D-Mass.) died Tuesday night at his Ogunquit, Maine home, age 86, after hospice care for congestive heart failure.
He came out as gay in 1987 and married Jim Ready in 2012, becoming the first member of Congress to wed a same-sex spouse.
He chaired the Financial Services Committee in 2007, helped pass Dodd-Frank, secured AIDS funding, and supported repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

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