US Congress Members 18 Times Richer Than Average American Household: Report

The Center for Responsive Politics has published a report, stating that the median net worth of a member of Congress was $1,029,505 in 2013 compared with an average American household's median net worth of $56,355.

WASHINGTON, January 13 (Sputnik) — The median net worth of a US Congress member is 18 times greater than that of an average American household, according to an analysis, published by the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP).

"The median net worth of a member of Congress was $1,029,505 in 2013 compared with an average American household's median net worth of $56,355," the CRP report, released Monday, found.

According to CRP, most of US Congressmen are millionaires.

"Once again, the majority of members of Congress are millionaires — 271 of the 533 members currently in office, or 50.8 percent," CRP said, revealing the results of its analysis.

The CRP report was based on information, gathered from financial disclosure forms, required to be submitted by members of the Congress. The latest available data is from assets and liabilities as of year-end 2013 and includes new members of the Congress sworn in last week, half of whom are millionaires, according to information gathered by CRP.

House of Representatives members registered a median net worth of $843,507, compared to senators with $2,794,518. On the high end of net worth was Republican House member Darrell Issa, who was valued at nearly $450 million, CRP reveals.

CRP also found that, for the most part, US Congress members' wealth is contained in real estate and investments.