Barney Frank, the former Democrat congressman from Massachusetts who served from 1981 to 2013, passed away Tuesday night at age 86.
Frank is perhaps best remembered by conservatives as the co-author of the Dodd-Frank Act, a sweeping piece of legislation that significantly expanded the federal government's control over the American financial system in the aftermath of the 2008 recession.
While his allies celebrate the act as a necessary regulatory overhaul, critics have long argued that the law imposed burdensome red tape that hampered economic growth and increased costs for consumers.
Beyond his impact on the economy, Frank was a prominent figure in the push for radical social changes, including his vocal advocacy for the repeal of the military’s 'don't ask, don't tell' policy and his efforts to codify workplace mandates based on sexual orientation.
Throughout his career, Frank remained a staunch defender of the left-wing agenda, recently expressing his disdain for the current political climate while maintaining his commitment to progressive ideology. He spent his final weeks in hospice care at his home in Maine.
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