Ten Wealthiest Members Of Congress – What’s In their Wallets?

The Hill  listed their annual report on the 10 wealthiest members of Congress. You will note that 7 of the 10 are Democrats who have , along with 3 Republicans, gotten wealthier while the Americans have become poorer. You will note that Sen. John Kerry, one of those liberal progressive Democrats, a fan of  redistributing our money by increased taxation, has topped the list for two years in a row.  It would seem that money can buy anything.  Just my opinion….William McCullough

Wealthiest Lawmakers Increased Their Riches As Economy Sputtered in 09

By: Kevin Bogardus and Barbra Kim – The Hill, August 31, 2010

 The richest members of Congress actually got even wealthier last year, even though 2009 saw one of the worst economic downturns in America since the Great Depression, according the The Hill, which released its annual ranking of lawmakers’ estimated wealth. 

Members of Congress are required to file financial disclosure forms each year, and often report finances in broad ranges. The Hill took the bottom number of each range reported, and incorporated the sums of their liabilities and assets to come up with each number.

The 50 wealthiest lawmakers were worth an estimated $1.4 billion in 2009 – about $85.1 million more than in 2008. The growth is due, in part, to the fact that the stock market actually rebounded last year, helping lawmakers who had large investments.

Three Republicans and seven Democrats made up the top 10 slots, which are nearly the same as the previous year. Senator John Kerry, D-Mass., topped the list for the second year in a row with a whopping estimated worth of $188.6 million. Congressman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, however, joined the list for the first time, replacing representative Harry Teague, D-N.M. http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/116489-wealthy-lawmakers-increased-their-riches-as-economy-sputtered-in-2009-

Here are the top ten, along with their estimated worth.

1. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.): $188.6 million

2. Rep. Darrel Issa (R-Calif.): $160.1 million

3. Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.): $152.3 million

4. Sen. Jay Rockefeller ( D-W.Va.): $83.7 million

5. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas): $73.8 million

6. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.); $70.2 million

7. Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.): $56.5 million

8. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.): $53.5 million

9. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.): $49.7 million

10. Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.): $46.1 million