by Money Choice
Congressional wealth is reported annually, and even though they have access to the same investments as the American public, they are far wealthier.
How does the wealth of House and Senate representatives compare to their constituents’ wealth?
Three Democrats and two Republicans are on the wealthiest list.
Four Democrats and one Republican are on the least wealthy list.
Party affiliation has little bearing on overall wealth.
How Rich is Congress?
Congressional wealth is reported annually, and even though they have access to the same investments as the American public, they are far wealthier. How does the wealth of House and Senate representatives compare to their constituents’ wealth?
Michael McCaul (R-Texas)
Average Net Worth: $500,624,461
Outside Income: $0
Investments/Liabilities:
496 assets
Valued from $306,437,919 to $694,811,003
1 liability
Totaling: $500,001 to $1,000,000
Darrell Issa (R-California)
Average Net Worth: $480,325,019
Outside Income: $0
Investments/Liabilities:
42 assets
Valued from $315,550,042 to $845,100,001
2 liabilities
Totaling: $100,000,002 to $100,000,002
John Kerry (D-Massachusetts)
Average Net Worth: $235,976,804
Outside Income: $0
Investments/Liabilities
446 assets
Valued from $230,468,566 to $320,215,146
84 Liabilities
Totaling: $32,580,084 to $46,300,020
Mark Warner (D-Virginia)
Average Net Worth: $228,129,609
Outside Income: $0
Investments/Liabilities:
223 assets
Valued from $86,024,219 to $370,235,000
0 liabilities
Jared Polis (D-Colorado)
Average Net Worth: $214,946,679
Outside Income: $0
Investments/Liabilities:
322 assets
Valued from $94,065,361 to $349,328,000
3 liabilities
Totaling: $2,500,003 to $11,000,000
Top 5 Least Wealthy
John K. Delaney (D-Maryland)
Average Net Worth: $139,025,569
Outside Income: 3 totaling $1,070,524
Investments/Liabilities:
121 assets
Valued from $51,886,140 to $232,165,000
1 liability
Totaling $1,000,001 to $5,000,000
Jay Rockefeller (D-West Virginia)
Average Net Worth: $102,706,012
Outside Income: $0
Investments/Liabilities:
20 assets
Valued from $89,082,022 to $148,330,005
2 liabilities
Totaling $6,000,002 to $26,000,001
Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut)
Average Net Worth: $100,190,174
Outside Income: 1 totaling $47,080
Investments/Liabilities:
195 assets
Valued from: $79,606,299 to $120,774,049
1 liability
Totaling $500,001 to $1,000,000
Vernon Buchanan (R-Florida)
Average Net Worth: $95,327,629
Outside Income: $0
Investments/Liabilities:
171 assets
Valued from $63,172,276 to $279,833,000
19 liabilities
Totaling $26,750,019 to $131,600,000
Nancy Pelosi (D-California)
Average Net Worth: $94,162,532
Outside Income: $0
Investments/Liabilities:
71 assets
Valued from $39,276,073 to $187,299,000
11 liabilities
Totaling $12,850,011 to $61,750,000
Most Popular Congressional Investments
General Electric®
Republican investors: 45
Minimum investment: $1,799,117
Democrat investors: 37
Minimum Investment: $1,250,949
Procter & Gamble®
Republican investors: 35
Minimum investment: $8,675,556
Democrat investors: 32
Minimum Investment: $937,006
Microsoft® Corporation
Republican investors: 33
Minimum investment: $1,262,882
Democrat investors: 31
Minimum Investment: $3,239,051
Bank of America®
Republican investors: 33
Minimum investment: $269,019
Democrat investors:
Minimum Investment: $1,840,199
Exxon Mobile®
Republican investors: 38
Minimum investment: $4,493,909
Democrat investors: 17
Minimum Investment: $1,878,452
Does Party Influence Wealth or Investment Decisions?
Wealth:
Three Democrats and two Republicans are on the wealthiest list.
Four Democrats and one Republican are on the least wealthy list.
Party affiliation has little bearing on overall wealth.
Investments:
Republicans tend to invest more in oil.
Democrats tend to invest more in technology and banking.
Party affiliation affects investment types, but not overall investments.
Median Constituent Salaries:
United States: $50,502
Texas: $49,392
California: $57,287
Massachusetts: $62,859
Virginia: $61,882
Colorado: $55,387
Maryland: $70,004
West Virginia: $38,482
Connecticut: $65,753
Florida: $44,299
The annual salary for most members of Congress is $174,000. Leaders, such as the House Speaker, make considerably more.
Constituent net worth:
In the Northeast, median net worth $91,025 in 2011
In the Midwest, median net worth $81,049
In the South, median net worth $60,700
The West $59,431
Sources:
http://www.census.gov/people/wealth/files/Wealth%20Highlights%202011.pdf
http://opensecrets.org
http://www.census.gov/prod/2012pubs/acsbr11-02.pdf
http://www.senate.gov/CRSReports/crs-publish.cfm?pid=’*2%404P%5C%5B%3A%22%40%20%20%0A
Source: MoneyChoice.org Copyright Money Choice.org 2013
