Just out, an updated list of the wealthiest members of Congress - fat cats are pretty equally divided on both sides of the isle. I'm sure
Sen. Feinstein's wealth was really helped recently by all of the military hardware her husband sold to the government while she sat on the Appropiation's committee. Conflict of interest, not at all? I love how the stong union advocate Nancy Pelosi uses non-union labor at the restaurant and hotel in Napa she and he husband own as they increase their wealth on the backs of scab labor.
Sen. Ted Kennedy, for example, reports a worth of less than $48 million on his disclosure form, while his trusts have reportedly been valued at over $500 million.
Here is the top 10:
1. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. — $230.98 million.
Kerry’s wife Teresa is the widow of Heinz ketchup heir John Heinz, and Forbes magazine has estimated the couple’s actual worth at $1 billion.
2. Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif. — $225.96 million
Harman is heavily invested in Harman International Industries, an electronics firm founded by her husband.
3. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif. — $160.62 million
Issa is the founder of Directed Electronics, which manufactures car alarms.
4. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va. — $80.4 million
The senator is a descendant of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller.
5. Rep. Robin Hayes, R-N.C. — $78.96 million
Hayes inherited millions when his mother died in 2007, and he has large holdings in stocks, bonds, and real estate.
6. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla. — $65.49 million
The congressman owns several car dealerships and an aircraft charter business.
7. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J. — $55.33 million
Lautenberg made millions from the payroll processing firm he founded.
8. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. — $52.34 million
The senator is married to financier Richard Blum, and the couple own all or part of numerous limited partnerships.
9. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. — $47.62 million
Much of Kennedy’s wealth comes from family trusts, including one valued from $25 million to $50 million.
10. Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore. — $28.65 million
Smith’s fortune comes largely from Smith Food Sales, which markets frozen vegetables.
The list of 50 includes 23 Democrats in all, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi at No. 17 ($18.71 million) and Sen. Hillary Clinton at No. 29 ($10.39 million).
Sen. John McCain is No. 13 with $19.64 million, although some media outlets have stated that his wife Cindy’s net worth may exceed $100 million.