Frank apologizes to Rep. Hensarling for March floor fight

Retiring Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) on Wednesday apologized to Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) for accusing him back in March of being involved in a plot to give Rep. Ben Quayle (R-Ariz.) credit for a bill he didn't write.

"I was very critical of some actions that were taken by the Republican leadership involving sponsorship of a bill," Frank said on the House floor.

"In the course of my discussion of that, which was fairly spirited, I accused the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Hensarling, of having said something that wasn't accurate. I have had a conversation with Mr. Hensarling, and I now believe that I said that unfairly to him.

"I continue to be critical of what happened ... but I now believe that I inaccurately imputed the complaints I had and the action to the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Hensarling, so I wish to apologize to him for having inaccurately accused him of doing something that he informs me — and I believe him — he did not do."

Frank did not specify about what incident he was talking about, but his description matches a fight he had with Hensarling in March over Quayle's bill. Then, Frank noted that Republicans appeared to lift the text of Quayle's bill from a bill offered by Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.).

Frank said the move was "shameful," and accused Hensarling of being part of an effort to help Quayle's reelection bid.

"I have never seen truth stood on its head more rapidly than my colleague from Texas," Frank said. "For the gentleman from Texas, having been part of the leadership that engaged in that shameful maneuver, to now accuse us of being excessively concerned with credit, is the most hypocritical and dishonest statement I have heard uttered in this House."

That prompted Hensarling to ask that Frank's words be stricken from the record.

Quayle ultimately lost his seat to Schweikert, and Schweikert was one of four House Republicans who lost their committee seats for going against GOP leaders in past votes.

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