WASHINGTON — Times are tough, but don’t worry about most members of Congress making ends meet. Their collective wealth grew by 13 percent last year, leaving them in better shape than most Americans to make it through an economic downturn.
Overall, nearly two of every three senators are millionaires. That includes presidential candidates Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. In the House, 39 percent of members belong to the exclusive club. Only 1 percent of all Americans are considered millionaires.
“Most members of Congress have a comfortable financial cushion to ride out any recession,” said Sheila Krumholz, with the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, which conducted the study. Rob Hotakainen, McClatchy Newspapers
Pols with the most
1. Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.), $397,412,077
2. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), $336,224,883
3. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), $343,457,521
4. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), $241,545,513
5. Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.), $173,409,173
6. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), $165,748,714
7. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), $103,560,020
Source: Center for Responsive Politics
