![]() ![]() Gerry Studds revealed that he was gay in 1983, but it was because of revelations about an affair he had with a 17-year-old congressional page.įrank said his only regret in coming out was that he didn't do it sooner. In 1987, Frank was the first congressman to voluntarily announce that he is gay. That compromise, he says, would likely include "significant" increases in tax revenues of at least $1 trillion as well as cuts to military and domestic spending. Now, Frank says lawmakers - specifically Republicans, in his view - are more willing to compromise. "Prior to this election, both sides were dug in saying, 'I'm not going to give in on anything major before the next election, because I may win it and be able to do better.' " "But because the election of 2012 somewhat broke the tie that was created by the elections in 20. Phil and decided to get along with each other better," Frank explained. "I think it will get better, not because people suddenly had personality changes and listened to Dr. He seemed optimistic that a compromise could be reached. The Newton Democrat said he plans to write at least two books when he retires: one about what liberals should do differently and the second about the history of the gay rights movement.įrank leaves Congress at a time of partisan gridlock, especially as lawmakers struggle to reach a compromise on dealing with the fiscal cliff. House Speaker Tip O'Neill chat during a re-election campaign luncheon in Natick in 1982. "In some ways, I think I may have more of an impact on the public debate being out of office because people screen what elected officials say through a pretty heavy veil of skepticism," Frank said. Newly married, Frank says he's looking forward to retiring. I recognized some, but I think Frank could have named them all. We went to his office in Newton this week, where Frank opened the conversation by quizzing me about the faces in a photograph of state lawmakers from the 1970s. Congress, pushing through the landmark Dodd-Frank financial reform law.įrank has always been a student of history, direct, and one who doesn't suffer fools gladly. Barney Frank has spent 40 years serving the commonwealth, first as a state representative in the 1970s and then for 16 terms in the U.S. The changing of the guard on Capitol Hill this January means the exit of one of Massachusetts' most influential and atypical congressmen. Frank was once White's chief of staff in the 1960s. Here he is at the funeral for former Boston Mayor Kevin White in February. ![]()
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