Forget the pultry salary, many Lawmakers earn millions of dollars from special interest groups, investments, and other interesting scenarios. However, as one publication has noted, estimating the wealth of Members of Congress is difficult as it is based purely on disclosure forms, which are unreliable. Here’s what Roll Call came up with for their “50 Richest Members of Congress…”
Here’s the top Ten:
1. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)
$230.98 million
2. Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.)
$225.96 million
3. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.)
$160.62 million
4. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.)
$80.40 million
5. Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.)
$78.96 million
6. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.)
$65.49 million
7. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)
$55.33 million
8. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)
$52.34 million
9. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.)
$47.62 million
10. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.)
$28.65 million
When you are a Lawmaker does the presense of EXTREME wealth come into play? Maybe, maybe not. How detached are you from your constituents if you have never had to worry about a mortage payment? How did you gain your wealth and are there potential conflicts of interest? I think I am going to present this to my American Government classes and see what kind of reaction they give me.
Chris, — Please let me know how you go about introducing this to your classes and how it goes. Great idea!
Who are the 50 least wealthy?