Depending on who you ask, American politicians may be some of the most overpaid — or underpaid — people in our country.
And there have been plenty of folks on Capitol Hill and Washington D.C. that have amassed a lot more money than the average American.
From the Clintons, to the Obamas, to even the Bush family, it’s no secret that politics can be a very lucrative profession.
Private investments, family money, and even business deals, have helped many politicians garner personal wealth.
Even former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently made headlines for her vast portfolio of wealth.
But as for the wealthiest member(s) of Congress?
They may not be who you think.
Take California Republican Congressman Darrell Issa for example.
Estimates of Issa’s net worth ranging from $283 million to $768 million. He has consistently been one of the richest members of Congress since taking office in 2001.
Issa made his fortune as the founder, and former CEO, of Directed Electronics. A vehicle security products company, Issa’s introduction of the Viper and Python car alarm systems propelled the company’s success.
Issa sold the company in 1999, just before being elected to Congress for the first time. According to his financial disclosures, the majority of Issa’s wealth is currently held in stock funds as well as in his properties in both California and Ohio.
Not widely known, but Texas Republican Michael McCaul is also high on the list.
McCaul has served in Congress since 2005. According to report, McCaul’s estimated net worth ranges from $200 million to $294 million.
However, most of McCaul’s wealth is actually due to his wife’s inheritance. Linda McCaul’s father, Lowry Mays, founded Clear Channel Communications, better known today as iHeartCommunications. The Mays family sold their stake in the company in 2006 for $17.9 billion.
Other high-ranking members of Congress that have built personal, wealthy empires include former Florida Governor and current Florida Senator Rick Scott, former Massachusetts Governor and current Utah Senator Mitt Romney, and former Virginia Governor and current Democratic Senator Mark Warner.