Economy Wallops Lawmakers' Fortunes

Though, Roll Call cautions, financial disclosure forms an unreliable source

(NEWSER) - John Kerry leads Roll Call's annual list of the 50 richest members of Congress, with a fortune estimated at $231 million. But financial-disclosure rules make it impossible to get a complete picture of lawmakers' assets, so Kerry, John McCain (No. 13, with $20 million), and the rest of the top 50 are likely much richer. Following the Massachusetts senator are:

• Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., $226 million
• Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., $161 million

John Kerry, Darrell Issa, Jane Harman lead list

(NEWSER) - Financial disclosure forms from 2009 are in, and the Hill has ranked the 50 wealthiest lawmakers (27 Democrats and 23 Republicans) from the House and Senate. Here's the top 5:

1. John Kerry, $188.6 million: Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, is the source of his wealth, though the $188.6 million is something of an estimate—several assets are listed as being worth "over $1,000,000."
2. Rep. Darrell Issa, $160.1 million: His net worth actually dropped by $4 million in 2009 because of investment loses. His wealth came from his founding of a company that makes car security alarms.

'Washington Post' finds 16 members of Congress engaging in practice

(NEWSER) - A Washington Post investigation finds that 16 members of Congress have sent tax dollars, sometimes in the millions, to companies or other organizations with links to their family trees. Through direct funding or earmarking, these lawmakers have boosted the budgets of Pentagon programs, environmental groups, schools, and other places where their spouses, children, or parents have been employed, sat on the board, or worked as lobbyists. In interviews, the lawmakers insist the actions were meant to assist organizations that, in turn, help residents of their districts. Indeed, congressional committees have found that such practices are fine as long as the money doesn't directly or solely benefit the lawmakers' relatives. More»

Just a coincidence that pork benefits own real estate, they say

(NEWSER) - Members of Congress are not only steering earmarks to their own districts, but also their own backyards, funding projects that boost the value of properties they own, a Washington Post investigation finds. Comparing disclosure forms against public records revealed that over the last few years, some 33 members of Congress have directed more than $300 million to projects within two miles of, and sometimes right next to, their own property. Another 16 sent earmarks to companies or projects where their family members are employed. More»

What would happen if majority of members killed, incapacitated?

(NEWSER) - The Washington Post points to an important question that failed to get asked after the FBI arrested Rezwan Ferdaus for allegedly planning an attack on the US Capitol: Is Congress prepared for a catastrophic terrorist strike? If more than half of the members of the House or the Senate were incapacitated or killed, no laws could be passed. How quickly could the chambers mobilize in such an event? More»