What Recession? Wealth of Congressmen Grows 16%

Recession may be just for the average Joes. Members of Congress on average saw their net wealth increase by more than 16 percent last year from 2008. Nearly half the members of Congress — 261 to be exact — are millionaires, according to a study from the Center for Responsive Politics.

The wealth is fairly evenly divided between the parties. In the House, the 10 wealthiest members include five Democrats and five Republicans, while in the Senate, six Democrats and four Republicans make up the top 10. But of the top 10 overall, seven are Democrats.

Here’s the list, with their minimum net worth:

1. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.: $188.4 million
2. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.: $160.1 million
3. Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif.: $152.6 million
4. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W. Va..: $81.5 million
5. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Tex.: $73.8 million
6. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.: $70.2 million
7. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Col.: $56.5 million
8. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla.: $55.5 million
9. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J.: $49.7 million
10. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.: $46.1 million