Carl Conetta & Charles Knight, 22 May 2026
The Project on Defense Alternatives (PDA) is saddened to learn of the passing on 19 May 2026 of former US House Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts – a brilliant and effective progressive voice in Congress for 32 years. Among his many accomplishments, Frank sought ways to better secure America at a lower cost and with less resort to force.
PDA worked with Rep. Frank most notably on the Sustainable Defense Task Force in 2010. Frank led the effort to ensure that debt-related budget cuts would be drawn 50% from the Pentagon budget in a safe and constructive manner. Characteristically, he reached across the aisle to build a bipartisan effort that included former Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) as a co-sponsor. We are honored to have supported him in this effort. The Report of the Sustainable Defense Task Force can be found here: Debt, Deficits, and Defense: A Way Forward