California Republican

Rep. Darrell Issa

What the Post found

Public projects

Estimated wealth

$448.1 million in 2010

119% since 2004

Financial approach

Institutional Investor

Invests in: Mixed, Finance / Insurance / Real Estate, Transportation

Each year, lawmakers are required to file financial disclosure forms that list assets, liabilities, stock transactions, outside employment, spousal employment and travel reimbursements.

Public projects, private interests

Issa secured $815,000 in earmarks between 2007 and 2009 to widen a road less than a mile from a medical building in Vista, Calif., that Issa purchased for $16.6 million in 2008. Issa sold the property on Jan. 19 for $15 million. These earmarks were first reported in March by the Center for American Progress and in August by the New York Times. "Rep. Issa's request for the widening project was made on behalf of local leaders and predated his purchase of the medical center building," a spokesman said."

Full statement provided by Issa

Issa’s financial portrait

The Post examined the personal finances disclosed by all members of Congress and computerized by Center for Responsive Politics to show how they manage their assets and invest their money.

Issa

House median

Estimated wealth

$448.1 million in 2010

Change in estimated wealth

119% since 2004

Lawmakers who use riskier investment strategies and/or borrowing to increase wealth.

Wealthier

More aggressive

Financial approach

Institutional Investor

117 lawmakers are primarily invested in mutual funds and managed retirement funds that have a balance of stocks and bonds, which are often very safe but can be managed to be more or less aggressive.

Many assets can be tied to specific industries, such as finance, agriculture or
natural resources. "Mixed" investments are assets not tied to a specific industry.

$87.5 million

Assets are lumped into groups such as real estate, stocks,
mutual funds or cash.

NOTE: "Mixed" investments are assets that are not tied to a specific industry. Charted change in annual estimated wealth is capped at 200 percent increase and 100 percent decrease for clarity. See the full methodology here.
SOURCES: Congressional financial disclosure forms, Center for Responsive Politics, Washington Post analysis.

The estimation of assets for lawmakers is based on calculating the midpoint of reported value ranges for holdings and liabilities that members of Congress list on financial disclosure forms. It does not reflect assets lawmakers are not required to disclose, such as personal residences and non-interest bearing bank accounts. The estimation is not intended to provide a complete portrait of the net worth of each legislator, but rather show their relative standing in Congress and how their holdings have changed over time.

If you're a member of Congress who would like to further clarify your financial portrait, please contact us at capitolassets@washpost.com.