William Frenzel was a member of the United States House of Representatives for twenty years, where he represented Minnesota's third congressional district from 1971 to 1991.
He was the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, vice-chairman of the Committee on House Administration, and vice-chairman of the Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards.
After his time serving in Congress, Frenzel was chairman of the Ripon Society, guest scholar at the Brookings Institution, director of the Brookings Governmental Affairs Institute, and vice-chairman of the Eurasia Foundation, among other non-governmental organization positions.
In 2002 was appointed by George W. Bush as chairman to the Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations.
From 1951 to 1954 he served in the United States Navy.
He held bachelor's and master's degrees from Dartmouth College.