Sen. Biden releases tax returns

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Newly released tax returns show Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden is worth far less than many other U.S. senators.

"I make a good salary, although I am listed as the second-poorest man in this Congress," said Sen. Biden of Delaware. "But that's what happens when you get elected when you're 29 years old."

While at least half the nation's senators are millionaires, Biden and his wife, Jill, a teacher, earned a relatively small $320,000 in 2006, paying about $66,000 in taxes, CNN reported Saturday.

During the last decade, the Bidens earned slightly less than $2.5 million, or on average about $245,000 per year, CNN reported.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign released the Bidens' tax returns on Friday, in part to pressure Republican presidential candidate John McCain's campaign to do the same with the returns of Alaska Gov. and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and her husband, Todd.

A McCain aide said the Palins would release their tax records but on their "own timeframe," CNN reported.