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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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14

Economy Wallops Lawmakers' Fortunes

Combined, members of Congress sough off hundreds of millions

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(Newser) – The 50 richest members of Congress are still rich, but their personal finances show they’re not immune to the economic downturn, Roll Call reports. Together, the pols on the list have lost $275 million in personal wealth since 2007. In 2008, the legislators' combined assets of $1.3 billion fall well short of the $1.5 billion total just a year earlier. The top 5:

  1. John Kerry: The Massachusetts senator has lost $64 million over the past year. But Kerry and his wife, ketchup heiress Teresa Heinz Kerry, could still be worth $1 billion.

  1. Darrell Issa: The California congressman's net worth actually grew, thanks to investments in car electronics and real estate, and now totals $164.7 million.
  2. Jane Harman: The California Democrat took a hit by way of her husband's audio company and now has $112.13 million.
  3. Jay Rockefeller: The West Virginia senator saw few ups and downs; he maintained his $80.45 million fortune.
  4. Mark Warner: The wealthiest freshman senator took a hit of $30 million but is still more than comfortable, with $72.37 million on the books.
For the full list, click the link below.

Senate Banking Committee member Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.
Senate Banking Committee member Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.   (AP Photo)
Sen. John Kerry.
Sen. John Kerry.   (AP Photo)
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee members Rep. John Mica, R-Fla, left, and Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee members Rep. John Mica, R-Fla, left, and Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.   (AP Photo)
Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.
Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.   (AP Photo)
Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif.
Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif.   (AP Photo)
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14 comments
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Deebles
Sep 14, 09 6:54 PM CDT
I remember the day that Theresa Heinz's husband, the congressman, died in that plane crash. I never had a problem with Kerry in Vietnam where he was actually quite the hero, but marrying her on the get go was like a fireman in New York ditching his wife and marrying a rich 9/11 widow. And he knows that's true. He never defended the swift boating because that was his one really decent claim to fame. Reply
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
Deebles
Sep 14, 09 6:58 PM CDT
Well that and he sailed with JFK and was in Skull and Bones with W. That vote is always remembered in my heart as the choice between the two devils that I both know. Sometimes you just got to toss a quarter. OK, I tossed it four times.
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Sep 14, 09 11:35 PM CDT
If by "sometimes you just got to toss a quarter" you mean 'sometimes you just gotta hold your nose' when you vote, then I agree
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
JonmarkP
Sep 15, 09 8:16 AM CDT
He knew the 2004 election had been subverted, it would have been easy to prove, and he threw in the towel without a whimper, just like Gore. These people are all in the Rich Kids Club-their allegiance is to each other and their wealthy campaign contributors, not to the electorate. And it will stay that way until we're in the streets. Civil unrest is the only way anything has ever changed in America. Sad, but true.
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0
Jayster999
Sep 14, 09 7:28 PM CDT
After all of the ruinous policies instituted by corrupt politicians over the past century, I would be content to see ALL of them in the poorhouse. Reply
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+1

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