Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) has announced his pending retirement from Congress in wake of his announcement that he will not seek a 17th term.
Barney, 71, has been an active liberal Democrat, well-known for his many contributions to fight for LGBT rights. He leaves behind his post citing a “deteriorating political culture and a more pragmatic political rationale,” adding that “new congressional-district lines approved by the Massachusetts’ legislature would substantially change his constituency,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
On being reelected to his post, Barney explains, “I think I would have won but it would have been a tough campaign… I hate raising money.”
Barney also attributed his departure to the upcoming Democratic prospects in 2012.
President Obama issued the following statement upon Barney’s announcement:
This country has never had a Congressman like Barney Frank, and the House of Representatives will not be the same without him. For over 30 years, Barney has been a fierce advocate for the people of Massachusetts and Americans everywhere who needed a voice. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of families and businesses and helped make housing more affordable. He has stood up for the rights of LGBT Americans and fought to end discrimination against them. And it is only thanks to his leadership that we were able to pass the most sweeping financial reform in history designed to protect consumers and prevent the kind of excessive risk-taking that led to the financial crisis from ever happening again. Barney’s passion and his quick wit will be missed in the halls of Congress, and Michelle and I join the people of the Bay State in thanking him for his years of service.
