House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on Rep. Barney Frank’s plans to retire:
“Congressman Barney Frank is an exceptional legislator, a trusted advisor and confidante, and a champion for his district and his state. His extraordinary career in public office will leave a lasting legacy on behalf of justice, human rights, consumer protection, affordable housing, and better economic opportunity for all Americans.
“For generations to come, Congressman Frank’s name will be synonymous with the strongest consumer protections in the financial marketplace in history. In the aftermath of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, he led the effort to enact the landmark Dodd-Frank Act, creating a consumer financial protection agency, reining in Wall Street and bringing stability and transparency to a financial system run amok. This achievement exemplified his time as Chairman of the Financial Services Committee during one of its most productive periods of legislating in recent memory.
“Congressman Frank’s advocacy pushed Congress to right the wrongs of history with a fully-inclusive hate crimes bill and with the end of the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. And his drive for a fully-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act and for marriage equality will not end with his retirement; it must, and will, remain a cornerstone of our ongoing fight for civil rights.
“Through his persistence, attention to detail, and commitment to Massachusetts’ 4th district, Congressman Frank earned the trust of his constituents. Through his passion, intelligence, and devotion to public service, he earned the respect of his colleagues. His departure from Congress will mark the end of an era. We will miss his contributions to Congress and to the American people, and I wish him and Jim all the best in the future.”
