Oct. 24, 2012

Americans in every state of our nation have been penny-pinching and even raiding their retirement accounts this year as they struggle with job-loss, pay-cuts, and the rising costs of education, food, and gas.

However, there's one group that's doing better than "alright" and they're using your tax-dollars to live in luxury too.

This has been extremely frustrating for hard-working Americans who have witnessed extinguishing benefits and flat wages in many sectors of our weak economy.

“Congressional representatives on balance rank among the wealthiest of wealthy Americans and boast financial portfolios that are all but unattainable for most of their constituents," said Sheila Krumholz, the Center for Responsive Politics’ executive director.

CNBC recently compiled a list of America's richest Congressmen and Congresswomen. Here they are from the least wealthy of the richest to the filthy rich of the richest. Now, keep in mind that their net-worth does not include any of the additional monetary perks that come your way when you're an esteemed Congress member.

*Sidenote: they're even richer than the richest Congressional members of 2010! The #1 richest Congressmen of 2010 was Darrel Issa with a reported minimum net worth of $156.1 million... wait until you see what this year's biggest earner is worth...

15.) Rep. Rick Berg, R-N.D.

Mr. Berg's reported minimum net worth: $23.78 million

To be fair here, a majority of Berg's wealth comes from his real estate investments. He owns dozens of apartment units and commercial properties that added up to a contributed net worth of $23.78 million in 2011.

14.) Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn

Ms. Black's reported minimum net worth: $24.79 million

13.) Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Ms. Pelosi's reported minimum net worth: $26.43 million

12.) Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine

Ms. Pingree's reported minimum net worth: $28.58 million.

11.) Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla.

Mr. Buchanan's reported minimum net worth: $36.49 million

10.) Rep. Jim Renacci, R-Ohio

Mr. Reacci's reported minimum net worth: $36.67 million

9.) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

Ms. Feinstein's reported minimum net worth: $41.78 million

8.) Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J.

Mr. Lautenberg's eported minimum net worth: $56.8 million

7.) Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo.

Reported minimum net worth: $72.09 million

6.) Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

Mr. Blumenthal's reported minimum net worth: $79.11 million

5.) Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.

Mr. Rockefeller's reported minimum net worth: $83.08 million

4.) Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.

Mr. Warner's reported minimum net worth: $85.81 million

3.) Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.

Mr. Issa's reported minimum net worth: $140.55 million

Poor Issa lost about $80 million of his net worth from 2010 to 2011; costing him him the #1 and #2 positon.

2.) Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

Mr. Kerry's reported minimum net worth: $198.65 million

Kerry has maintained a spot on this elite list for 15-years straight! Looks like the recession hasn't even touched him...

1.) Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas

Mr. McCaul's reported minimum net worth: $305.46 million

http://www.wealthwire.com/news/finance/4051