"[Frank] led the way in extracting from the Bush administration (after their initial demands for a bailout with no court or congressional review] a measure of foreclosure protection. The federal government will purchase mortgage securities in a manner that allows it to write down the mortgage principals once the government has equity. He also played a key role in demanding limits for CEO compensation for
companies receiving federal financial assistance...Barney Frank is now in his heyday. He's at the peak of his power and at the center of a great national struggle that will most probably determine the financial future of this country for the next 50 years. That's something the people he represents in Southeastern Massachusetts, who he has represented all these decades, should take a bit of pride in, no matter their political slant." [This Is Frank's Time to Shine, by Jack Spillane, September 26, 2008, New Bedford Standard-Times

House of Representatives

Brainiest -- Barney Frank #1

Funniest -- Barney Frank #1

Most eloquent -- Barney Frank #2

Workhorse -- Barney Frank #3

"If you look on both sides of the aisle in both houses of Congress, you won't find a better or more knowledgeable advocate for housing, He is a consistent affirmative voice for housing." [Doug Bibby, president of the National Multi-Housing Council]

"He is a master legislator. In a Congress that is otherwise marked by hostile partisanship, he's managed to do a great deal of work and get things through his committee on a bipartisan basis...The country is very fortunate to have Barney Frank in Congress. [Sheila Crowley, president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition]

"Barney didn't just wake up one morning and decide that housing was going to be his most important issue. He's distinguished himself across his career as a very active leader in the areas of housing production and particularly housing preservation. (Conrad Egan, president and CEO of the National Housing Conference]

[All three of these quotes are excerpts from "A Master Legislator", by Jerry Asciento, Affordable Housing Finance, September 2008.

[Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson] commended Frank...as a market-savvy pragmatist who consistently "looks for areas of agreement because he wants to get things done."

"Barney, I think, is in many ways unique in that he really grasps" the forces behind the housing crisis and its reverberations in global markets, Paulson said. "I thought it was remarkable when I came down here to find someone who had not been in the private sector and the capital markets who understood the capital markets as well as Barney Frank did." [Comments of Secretary Paulson, as reported in May 5,
2008 Washington Post, "On Economy, Unlikely Allies Forge Winning Strategy," by Lori Montgomery and David Cho]

"On July 30, 2008 President Bush signed into law a bill he threatened to veto. The turnaround represents the creative work of Barney Frank, Chairman of the Financial Services Committee, did to shepherd the legislation through the House, through conference and his working so thoroughly and professionally with Treasury Secretary Paulson. Frank's work with Paulson made it possible for Paulson to persuade Bush in spite of punitive congressional Republicans blasting help to people facing foreclosure of their homes.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), who chairs the Senate's counterpart committee, played a key role in working with his Republican counterpart Senator Richard Shelby to overcome the perpetual Republican filibusters. These filibusters are designed to obstruct public problem solving…

Miracles happen because of professional politicians serving creatively in the Congress, Hats off to Barney Frank and Chris Dodd, who in columnist David Broder's words, show 'both professionalism and conscience' and thereby make a difference that will improve the lives of many poor people" [Excerpt from August 1, 2008 blog by David Cohen entitled "Leadership From Congress; Barney Frank and Chris Dodd]

"This bill [the legislation responding to the national mortgage crisis] is far from perfect, but it beats the posturing and gridlock that has stalled Congress on other issues. Much credit for this should go to Rep. Barney Frank, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, who made a smooth transition from partisan warrior to responsible legislative craftsman when the Democrats took over the House last year. Frank earned the respect of his GOP colleagues by listening to their concerns. He bridged divides between House and Senate. He brought Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson into the process, establishing a personal trust that helped produce a bill the president has promised to sign despite White House objections." [Excerpt from Daily News Tribune editorial, July 29, 2008]

"If a politician had a bad position, and they've changed that to a good position as a result of public pressure, that's a good thing, and we should sing their praises, in the hope that they will be joined by others. Come on over to our side. You'll be much happier over here…Let us therefore praise Representative Barney Frank.

Frank is one of more than 200 Members of the House of Representatives who have cosponsored a resolution (H. Con. Res. 262) that effectively calls for a blockade of Iran, an act of war. But when peace activists complained, he did something that, to my knowledge (and I eagerly look forward to being corrected ), none of those other Members of Congress have done.

He publicly admitted that he was wrong. Last week Frank told the Northampton Massachusetts Valley Advocate:

"I'm all for stricter sanctions against Iran, but the blockade part goes too far…I'm going to call the sponsors and tell them I'm changing my vote."

…This country urgently needs more Members of Congress like Barney Frank, who are willing to state forthrightly that they made a mistake.

"The trip to full acknowledgment [of the Taunton River's value] has been a long one for the river and for those who have striven for decades to gain the status that the river now is close to receiving.

These people deserve congratulations, along with Democratic Representative Barney Frank. He and the state's Congressional delegation didn't allow this bill to be pushed to the sidelines or buried in committee, as some thought it would be.

Those in Taunton who watched the House debate said they felt like cheering when Frank took the floor in stinging rebuttal of Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, who had ridiculed people in this area who filed and supported this bill." [Excerpt from July 26, 2008 Taunton Gazette on House passage of legislation introduced by Frank to include the Taunton River in the Federal Wild & Scenic Rivers program]

"It was one of those moments you stand up and cheer." [Comment of William Napolitano, environmental program director of the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District, on watching Frank's rebuttal of negative comments regarding the Taunton River legislation, as reported in the July 17, 2008 Brockton Enterprise]

The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) congratulates Rep. Barney Frank on receiving our 2008 Small Investor Empowerment Award…NAREIT's Small Business Empowerment Award was established…to recognize those public servants who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the ideals of free enterprise, economic growth, personal freedom and unlimited opportunity for all Americans…Rep. Frank has been a strong advocate for small investors throughout his years in Congress. (Roll Call, 03/05/2008.)

“Frank listens to others’ arguments and engages them in his inimitable rapid-fire delivery. In the 2006 Washingtonian poll of staffers, he was voted the brainiest, funniest and most eloquent member of the House. He is admired even by Republicans for his intellectual rigor and honesty; at the same time he is a wily political operator. He does not profess to be a political theoretician, though few in the House exceed him as such.” Almanac of American Politics 2008

It is a red-letter day when Congress is able to fight off the special interests, put aside partisanship and actually address a serious economic problem. That’s what the House of Representatives did last week with passage of a bill reforming the mortgage lending industry.
The bill sets national standards, outlaws fraudulent and abusive practices, and requires investment bankers to exercise a minimum duty of care in packaging and securitizing mortgage loans. 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 House these days. The Washington Post 11-18-07 By Steven Pearlstein

Finally in a chair to match his powerful command of policy, Frank pushes for pet causes that were suppressed by the Republican ex-majority…The pro-labor Democrat has been acting more business friendly than usual, but that won’t stop him from trying to rein in executive compensation. He’ll play a major role in ongoing legislative debates over gay marriage. And, he continues to take his formidable debating skills on the airwaves, appearing regularly on Real Time With Bill Maher, where he makes no bones about his ideological opponents. Frank recently called Mitt Romney “the most intellectually dishonest human being in the history of politics.” 02138 Magazine September, 2007

"Barney Frank, the Massachusetts liberal known for his sharp tongue, was widely expected to be a scourge of business in the new Democratic Congress."

"Instead, he has forged multiple alliances with key Republicans and steamrolled his legislative agenda through the House, making him an exception in an increasingly partisan institution, a successful compromiser. This has made him a pivotal figure in Washington’s response to the subprime mortgage meltdown, a topic that has consumer the House Financial Services Committee since he became chairman, alongside other issues from executive compensation to affordable housing." Dow Jones 12-10-07 By Damian Paletta

“Congressman Frank has dedicated his life to serving this state and region. He is an outstanding example of the best in public service. His leadership, keen and thoughtful analysis, and ability to create and move policy forward are unmatched. And his commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all is unwavering. New England is a better place because of him.” Remarks of James Brett, President and CEO of the New England Council 10/01/2007

“[Frank’s] thinking is what today’s liberalism looks like when organized by a first class mind.” George F. Will, January 21, 2007 (Washington Post).

“Rep. Frank’s principled leadership as chairman of the House Financial Services Committee is making a difference not only for Main Street America, but for our entire nation…[he] is a strong advocate for maintaining the diversity and safety and soundness of our financial system, and keeping it free of conflicts of interest. His advocacy benefits small businesses and families and helps keep local communities and economies strong.” James P. Ghiglieri, Jr., Chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America, in a statement honoring Frank with its Main Street Hero Award. Reported in Fall River Herald-News on April 27, 2007.

“Rep. Barney Frank’s efforts to deal with this outrageous legislation [the prohibition on Internet gambling] are heroic…problem gamblers are [currently] left as prey for unscrupulous operators that will work outside the law. Frank has introduced a more sensible solution. His plan creates a licensing and regulating mechanism that will allow us to sort out the most responsible sites…Frank understands that these technological advances enable us to effectively regulate the industry. He also knows that more than 80 countries and jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, are demonstrating how to successfully oversee the industry…Only meaningful regulation of online poker, line the Frank plan, will produce positive outcomes for players, children, the economy, the taxpayer, and society in general.” Boston Herald, May 14, 2007.

“I believe he is one of the voices in the Democratic party that is trying to reposition the party as a pro-growth, pro-jobs party as opposed to simply being against things.” Paul Guzze, President of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, as reported in the Boston Globe, November 19, 2006.

Congressman Barney Frank is credited with Taunton earning [the $1 million federal grant to enable the city to offer low-interest loans to private businesses for cleanup of brownfield sites]. It is not the first time that the Democratic Congressman has produced for Taunton. He has proven to be a worthy successor in this regard to the late J. Joseph Moakley…Frank has been no further than away than a phone call for a Taunton mayor. He responded when former Mayor Robert G. Nunes sought emergency funding after the Mill River flood threat of two years ago. He has guided the legislation that eventually could designate Taunton’s downtown as a historic park, and he has obtained for the city funds for improving Routes 24 and 140 in Taunton.” Taunton Gazette, May 29, 2007.