Millionaires in U.S.: 1%; Millionaires in Congress: 44%

Friday, November 06, 2009
Rep. Darrell Issa

Although the members of Congress are supposed to represent their constituents, when it comes to wealth, they are not representative. While millionaires make up only 1% of the U.S. population, they constitute 44% of all lawmakers on Capitol Hill—237 members out of a total of 535. Even with the losses these wealthy politicians suffered last year during the economic downturn, several representatives and senators are worth in excess of $100 million and even $200 million. The 10 richest lawmakers (and the average between their estimated minimum and maximum net worth) are:

 
Darrell Issa (R-CA)                $251,025,020
Jane Harman (D-CA)             $244,796,667
Herb Kohl (D-WI)                   $214,570,011
Mark Warner (D-VA)              $209,700,590
John Kerry (D-MA)                $208,801,275
Jared Polis (D-CO)                $158,173,566
Vernon Buchanan (R-FL)      $142,432,692
Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)           $94,306,010
Frank R Lautenberg (D-NJ)     $74,744,094
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)          $72,380,637
-David Wallechinsky, Noel Brinkerhoff
 
Personal Finances: Overview (OpenSecrets.org)

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