WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Some of the richest members of the U.S. Congress are also among the newest, The Hill reports in its annual ranking of legislative wealth.
But Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., still sits at the pinnacle. Kerry, thanks to the money his wife inherited from her first husband, the late U.S. Sen. John Heinz, R-Pa., is worth a reported $167.8 million.
Like many of his constituents, Kerry is not as rich as he used to be. His net worth fell by $70 million from last year.
Rep. Jane Harmon, D-Calif., has also lost asset value to the recession, $100 million. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., however, has actually become richer, reporting $4 million more in assets this year.
About 10 percent of the 50 richest lawmakers are newcomers either by election last year or appointment early this year. They include Reps. Jared Polis, D-Colo., and Alan Grayson, D-Fla.
Two appointed senators, Ted Kaufman, D-Del., and Michael Bennet, D-Colo., are also among the Top 50.
The list is almost evenly split between the parties with 26 Democrats and 24 Republicans. Because the Democrats have a big advantage in seats, the Republican caucus has a considerably bigger percentage of members on the Top 50.
