Gay Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank to retire after 16 terms in House of Representatives

Congressman Barney Frank has long been considered the most prominent gay politician in the United States.

But the 71-year-old congressman, an outspoken liberal with a very sharp tongue, announced earlier today that his current 16th term will be his last.

After facing one of his toughest re-election bids in 2010, Frank faced an even tougher battle at the polls next year due to congressional redistricting.

“I don’t want to be torn [between] a full-fledged campaign… and my obligation to my current constituents,” Frank said at a press conference held at Newton, Massachusetts City Hall.

Frank first took office in Massachusetts’ fourth district in 1980. From 2007-2011, he served as chairman of the House Financial Services committee and it was during that time that he spearheaded work on the landmark financial regulation legislation that rewrote the rules for Wall Street after the 2008 financial crisis.

But this and his liberal positions made him a target for conservatives and his newly-configurated district included more conservative areas.

In a written statement, President Barack Obama said the House of Representatives “will not be the same without him. Barney has been a fierce advocate for the people of Massachusetts and Americans everywhere who needed a voice.

The president praised Frank for helping to make housing more affordable and for fighting to end discrimination against lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgendered Americans.

At his press conference, Frank was his characteristic outspoken self when asked about Newt Gingrich’s recent rise among potential Republican party presidential nominees in the polls.

“I did not think I had lived a good enough life to be rewarded by having Newt Gingrich be the Republican nominee,” Frank said.

He added that Gingrich, who has been married three times, “is an ideal opponent for us when we talk about just who it is threatening the sanctity of marriage.”