Barney Frank, Now in Hospice Care, Urges Democrats to Focus on Economic Reform to Defeat Trump Barney Frank, the late-term Democratic congressman from Massachusetts, is currently in hospice care at his home in Ogunquit, Maine, where he resides with his husband, Jim Ready. Despite his declining health, Frank remains vocal about his political views, emphasizing the need for Democrats to refocus on core economic issues rather than cultural debates to counter President Donald Trump’s right-wing populism. His remarks come as he prepares to publish his book, The Hard Path to Unity: Why We Must Reform the Left to Rescue Democracy, set for release in September 2026. Frank, who represented Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District for over three decades, is best known for co-authoring the Dodd-Frank Act, a landmark piece of legislation that reformed banking regulations following the 2007-2008 financial crisis. His career spanned decades of political activism, including his role as a state legislator, a staffer for Boston Mayor Kevin White, and a long-serving member of Congress. Now in his final chapter, Frank has spoken extensively about the challenges facing his party and the broader implications for liberal democracy. In an interview with WBUR’s senior political reporter Anthony Brooks, Frank criticized the Democratic Party for prioritizing cultural issues over economic reform. He argued that the party’s focus on litmus tests such as open borders, defunding the police, and transgender participation in girls’ sports has alienated voters and allowed Trump’s brand of populism to thrive. “Those on the left, who had been right on the economic issue, decided they could do even more changes,” Frank said. “They said, ‘Good, let’s do the economics, but let’s get rid of all these cultural and social evils.#massachusetts #barney_frank #jim_ready #ogunquit_maine #dodd_frank_act
