Barney Frank For Congress - Above the Fold

Congressman Frank's Statement On The Economic Rescue Legislation (09/29/08)

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 14:32:25 -0400

What I have tried to do every time we've had a major bill, I'll be honest, is to use the leverage I get as chairman because there are things that everybody needs to put in for the poor people, to put in something for the people who don't otherwise get a fair shake.
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Congressman Frank's Letter To The Editor Replying To False Republican Accusations Concerning Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 14:21:04 -0400

During twelve years of Republican rule no reform was adopted regarding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In 2007, a few months after I became the Chairman, the House passed a strong reform bill.

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HOUSING AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - July 23, 2008)

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 00:22:58 -0400

"Obviously, [responding to the mortgage crisis] requires a joint effort. To some extent, this is a test of our ability as a self-governing people to govern. Because if everybody helf off and said I am only going to support a bill with which I am in complete agreement, we would not be able effectively to respond to this crisis."[HOUSING AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - July 23, 2008)]
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This Political Maneuvering Welcome, by Mike Moran, Fall River Herald-News, June 19, 2008.

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 20:51:58 -0400

"Why do I want to protect their right to screw my state?" (This Political Maneuvering Welcome, by Mike Moran, Fall River Herald-News, June 19, 2008.)
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Frank, Known As Irascible and Liberal, Reaches Our to Republicans on Housing Rescue, by Julie Hirschfeld Davis, AP, May 7, 2008

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 20:42:47 -0400

"Since becoming Financial Services' chairman last year, Frank has surprised many with his appetite for bipartisan compromise." (Frank, Known As Irascible and Liberal, Reaches Our to Republicans on Housing Rescue (excerpts), by Julie Hirschfeld Davis, AP, May 7, 2008)
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A Liberal Wit Builds Bridges to the G.O.P. (excerpts) By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN, NEW YORK TIMES Published: May 13, 2008

Tue, 20 May 2008 22:31:43 -0400

Asking the White House to support more government intervention was "like asking me to judge the Miss America contest — if your heart's
not in it, you don't do a very good job." (May 13, 2008; New York Times)
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LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN FRANK TO HIS SUPPORTERS

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 16:49:36 -0400

May, 2008

Dear Friends:

Political life has an enormous number of benefits. One of the things I most dislike is to hear my colleagues complain about the terrible burdens under which we labor, and give the impression that they are doing the world an enormous favor by holding onto their jobs. In fact, in the majority of instances the facts are exactly the opposite: we want very much to keep our jobs and are prepared to impose on relatives, friends, random passers-by and others in an effort to do so.

But there is one downside. Precisely because we are in a position where we are allowed – even expected – to solicit people for favors, money, kind words etc., we can come to think of this as the normal form of human interaction. In particular, there is a very real possibility that we can transform ourselves into one of the most unpleasant of characters: an acquaintance from whom you hear only when he or she needs something.

So I am writing this to you simply to stay in touch, and it includes no request whatsoever for money, praise, moral support or anything else. It is simply a letter to people who have been extremely good friends and who have made the career that I continue to enjoy possible.

Democratic Response to President Bush's Radio Address by Congressman Frank - January 19, 2008

Tue, 20 May 2008 21:48:57 -0400

"The free market system is the foundation of our prosperity, but as we confront the damaging consequences of irresponsible mortgage lending, all but a few of zealots now understand that enforcement of standards of honesty, openness, and responsibility is necessary to prevent the sort of abuses that have brought us to the present crisis." (Excerpt from Frank's response to the President's radio address, 01/19/08)
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IRAQ WAR RESOLUTION (House of Representatives - Congressional Record - February 16, 2007)

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 23:02:01 -0400

The war in Iraq has been, in my judgment, the greatest national security disaster in America history. (Statement by Rep. Frank from House of Representatives debate on February 16, 2008.)
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OP-ED By Congresswoman Melissa Bean on ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act)

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:03:03 -0400

“Our vote [on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act] followed an impassioned plea for support from my colleague and chairman, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank. Since coming to Congress, I can’t remember being so personally moved by a member’s remarks on the House floor. And I was not alone. While Barney is renowned for his quick wit, humor and incisive intellectual arguments, he disarmed his opponents that night with pure emotion.” (Congresswoman Melissa Bean (D-IL), November 20, 2007 op-ed in Chicago Tribune).
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A Timely Mortgage Fix (excerpt) By Steven Pearlstein, The Washington Post, November 18, 2007

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:00:55 -0400

‘The lion’s share of the credit goes to the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, whose focus, knowledge and knack for dealmaking make him a rarity in the Capitol these days.” (Excerpt from 11-18-07 Washington Post Sunday Business Section article by Steven Pearlstein.)
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REP. FRANK ARGUES AGAINST REPUBLICAN MOTION TO RETURN THE EMPLOYMENTNON-DISCRIMINATION ACT TO COMMITTEE (Excerpt)

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 23:02:30 -0400

I used to be someone subject to this prejudice, and, through luck,circumstance, I got to be a big shot. I am now above that prejudice. But I feel an obligation to 15-year-olds dreading to go to school because of the torments, to people afraid that they will lose their job in a gas station if someone finds out who they love. I feel an obligation to use the status I have been lucky enough to get to help them. (Excerpt from House debate on Employment Non-Discrimination Act, 11 – 7 – 2007.)
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LESSONS OF THE SUBPRIME CRISIS

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:40:13 -0400

One aspect of the subprime mortgage crisis that deserves special attention is that it was in large part a natural experiment on the role of regulation. And the results are clear: Reasonable regulation of mortgages by the bank and credit union regulators allowed the market to function in an efficient and constructive way, while mortgages made and sold in the unregulated sector led to the crisis.
("Lessons of the Subprime Crisis"; Boston Globe Column by Rep. Frank, 9 – 14- 2007.)
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Excerpt From July, 2007 “Thank You” Letter Sent by Congressman Frank to Campaign Contributors

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:38:20 -0400

Congressman Charlie Rangel…said in one campaign speech that he was surprised to hear a Republican Congressional commercial that warned people against voting Democratic for House Members on the grounds that it would lead to chairmanships for Charlie Rangel, John Conyers and Barney Frank. “That’s funny,” Charlie said in his great New York City accent, exaggerated when necessary for comic effect, “I didn’t know that Barney Frank was colored.” (Excerpt from July, 2007 “Thank You” letter Congressman Frank sent to campaign contributors.)
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FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 – (House of Representatives - June 28, 2007)

Sun, 9 Mar 2008 15:58:48 -0400

I have to say, I do not understand the impulse to make life harder for others when making it easier for them has no cost to us. (Excerpt from debate on Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act of 2008 -- House of Representatives, June 28, 2007.)
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