Massachusetts Representative Barney
Frank announced Thursday that he will run for re-election in 2012,
The Boston Globe reported.
In making his announcement, the
70-year-old Frank suggested gay rights were among the issues he wants
to continue to pursue.
“I have become convinced that making
my decision to run for re-election known is important for maximizing
the impact I can have on the range of issues to which I am
committed,” Frank said in a statement. “These issues require a
time commitment longer than the next two years.”
Frank said his top priorities were to
defend the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act from repeal
by Republicans and to “reduce significantly America's swollen,
unnecessary, worldwide military footprint.”
“Failure to address excessive
military spending will either add to the deficit or force cuts in
education, police, fire, transportation, scientific research, food
safety, and infrastructure investment.”
“While these two issues are central
to our ability to return to a full-employment economy while
protecting our quality of life, there are other national and regional
issues on which I will be working as well – protecting the fishing
industry in Massachusetts from arbitrary, unjust and unfair actions;
fighting for full legal equality for all citizens; providing for the
housing needs of low-income people, not by pushing them unwisely and
unsustainably into homeownership, but rather by building affordable
rental housing; and helping local communities provide a level of
service adequate to the needs of their residents.”
Frank is the longest serving openly gay
member of Congress. Three additional representatives – Jared Polis
of Colorado, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, and David Cicilline of Rhode
Island – are also openly gay.
He is also a vocal advocate for the
Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill that would outlaw
workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender
identity.