United States Senators are responsible for making and creating the laws in this country. There are two for every state and each serves a staggered six-year term. They’re the ones who are responsible not only for creating laws, but for passing them as well. There are mixed opinions about senators and their pay, but one thing is certain; many of the current United States senators don’t need the money they earn from their seat. Some are wealthy on their own.
Democrat Mark Warner, Virginia $96 Million
He served as the Governor of Virginia from 2002 to 2006, and it was suspected that he would put his name in the hat for the 2008 presidential race. Obviously, he did not. This particular senator is the third wealthiest in the Senate with more than $96 million to his name. He’s the founder of Columbia Capital, though most of his substantial fortune was made from venture capital in telecommunications during the 1980s. He’s not an ostentatious wealthy man, however. Warner prefers to spend his non-working time making wine on his 15-acre vineyard and giving away bottles of his private label at charity events.
Republican Michael McCaul, Texas $114 Million
The Senator from Texas is the second wealthiest man in the Senate. Before he began his career as a United States Senator, McCaul was an attorney. He moved from his role as attorney to the role of federal prosecutor to the role of Senator. His money, however, does not come from anything he did in life except for getting married. The money he has to his name comes from his wife’s family. He currently holds the position of Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, which he is fully qualified to hold. He was, prior to this, the Chief of Counterterrorism and National Security for the Texas US Attorney’s office.
Republican Darrell Issa, California $355 Million
He’s been a congressional member since 2001, but this California Senator’s history is an interesting and somewhat troubling one. Born to a Lebanese Orthodox Catholic and a Czech and German Mormon, he was raised in a Jewish neighborhood of Ohio. His former jobs include working for a rabbi, a promising military career, and CEO of a company that manufactures automobile security products. It’s not surprising he was successful in making automobile security products given the fact that he was arrested several times throughout his teenage and early adult life for grand theft auto.
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