While American households experienced a 5 percent jump in their net worth last year, the 50 richest Members of Congress watched their combined wealth tumble.

But don’t bring out the hankies just yet.

In 2004, the 50 richest Members of Congress boasted a combined net worth of $2.15 billion — about 30 percent less than the $3.1 billion figure from the year before.

The departure from Congress of some of Capitol Hill’s richest is the primary culprit for the decline. For instance, when former Rep. Amo Houghton (R-N.Y.) retired last year, that subtracted at least $475 million from Congressional coffers. Ten other Members who dropped off Roll Call’s list took with them a combined net worth of $647.1 million.

By contrast, new Members who took their spots on this year’s list have a comparatively puny cumulative net worth (puny by recent Congressional standards, at least) of $69.5 million. Just two Members who departed since our last list came out — former Rep. Doug Ose (R-Calif.) and former Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (R-Ill.) — had a combined net worth that topped that total.

In addition, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), fresh off losing the presidential race, also saw his family’s net worth decline. In our previous survey, Kerry became the first Member of Congress to top $1 billion in net worth. That figure was revised downward in 2005 to $750 million.

After holding steady at around $10 million for the last four years, the median net worth for the 50 richest Members of Congress also sank, coming in at $8.89 million.

Trends aside, the price of entry onto our list, as in the past, takes millions. Over the past five years, the cutoff to be on Roll Call’s list has ranged from a low of $3 million in 2001 to $4.8 million in 2004.

Number 50 on this year’s list is Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.) with $3.19 million.

Nearly half of those who made Roll Call’s list for the past two years saw their wealth grow last year, compared with the 12 who experienced losses. The wealth of three Members stayed flat during the same period.

Joining Barrow on this year’s list are three freshmen Republican Texans, Reps. Kenny Marchant, Mike McCaul and Tom Price.

Three Members also reappear on Roll Call’s list this year after missing for at least a year. Rep. John Linder (R-Ga.) was on Roll Call’s list in 2001; Rep. Sue Kelly (R-N.Y.) last appeared in 2002; Rep. Jim Leach (R-Iowa) made the cut in 2001 and 2002.

Another group of non-freshmen also made Roll Call’s list this year for the first time: Reps. Bob Beauprez (R-Colo.) with $5.8 million; Clay Shaw (R-Fla.) with $8.06 million; Don Sherwood (R-Pa.) with $4.17 million; and Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas) with $3.33 million.

Republicans continue to dominate the overall list, taking 32 of the 50 spots. On last year’s list, Republicans held 30 positions and Democrats 20.

Democrats, however, occupy the top five slots and six of the top 10 in Roll Call’s list — one more than on last year’s list.

Now for the mechanics on how the numbers were compiled. Roll Call’s list of Congress’ richest Members is based on our analysis of House and Senate financial disclosure forms and national and local publications. In all cases, Members’ wealth is defined as their publicly disclosed assets minus their liabilities. In a few of the higher-end cases, we have used numbers crunched by other media outlets where we believe that they provide a fuller accounting of a Member’s net worth.

Assets and liabilities from spouses are also included in estimating a Member’s wealth. If a Member has not yet filed a disclosure form for the current year, then the previous year’s figures are used instead.

On disclosure forms, lawmakers are required to provide only an approximate value within a standardized set of ranges for specific assets. For example, a house worth $1.5 million can be slotted on a disclosure in the category “$1 million to $5 million.”

To make sure that our list does not inflate Members’ wealth — but also at the risk of underestimating it — the low end of the range is used for both assets and liabilities.

As in previous years, a certain amount of educated guessing is used in the process. Although the list is presented in full confidence, readers should know that the figures are merely an approximation of a Member’s net worth.

1. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)
$750 million

The 2004 Democratic presidential candidate again sits on the top of the heap with at least $750 million spread out over portfolios inherited by both Kerry and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry.

Much of Kerry’s wealth stems from his 1995 marriage to Heinz, whose first husband, former Sen. John Heinz (R-Pa.), died in a plane crash in 1991. Heinz was an heir to the Pittsburgh ketchup fortune.

The junior Senator from Massachusetts, an heir to the old-line Forbes and Winthrop families, does bring some wealth of his own to the union. According to his 2004 disclosure forms, Kerry’s contribution to the family fortune was at least $420,000.

As part of Forbes magazine’s annual list of the 400 richest Americans, Heinz ranked No. 391 with $750 million. Roll Call is using this figure for Kerry’s worth because it incorporates assets not included in Congressional disclosure forms.

As in years past, Kerry’s 2004 Senate financial disclosure reports paint a vague picture of the couple’s wealth. By preferring to designate sums of money simply as “over $1,000,000” on financial disclosure forms, rather than using more specific ranges, just adding up he and his wife’s vast holdings of securities gives a misleading impression of exactly how wealthy they are.

For example, in 2004 — as in 2003 — Kerry was worth at least $160 million, according to his disclosure forms alone.

During the past few years, the couple’s reported worth has fluctuated between $600 million and $3.2 billion.

2. Sen. Jon Corzine (D-N.J.)
$262 million

The 2005 New Jersey gubernatorial nominee nudged up one spot this year, despite the appearance of dropping nearly $40 million from last year’s figure.

The difference between the two years is traceable to a more updated source for the New Jersey Senator’s wealth. In 2003, Roll Call used the figure of $300 million from Forbes magazine. This year, Roll Call is using the high end of a range calculated by the Newark Star-Ledger.

Although various reports cite totals for his net worth differently, Corzine certainly continues to make transactions in the equities of his old employer, Goldman Sachs Group, despite previous promises to divest his portfolio of Goldman Sachs holdings.

In 2004, Corzine continued to hold at least $25 million in Goldman Sachs securities, purchasing at least $10 million in the firm’s stock during the year and buying or selling its options at least 30 times.

According to his 2004 disclosure forms, the majority of Corzine’s wealth is invested in property and with private equity firms. Corzine also holds bonds issued by the state of New Jersey and the government of Argentina — the latter fetching a healthy 7.5 percent annual interest payment.

3. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.)
$200 million

An heir to the Standard Oil fortune, Rockefeller’s wealth has changed little over the past decade, at least based upon published reports.

With the Rockefeller family net worth around $8.5 billion, according to reporting in 2002 by Forbes, the junior Senator’s wealth could be far higher. For example, cousin Win Rockefeller, Republican lieutenant governor of Arkansas, was near the middle of the 2004 Forbes 400 list with $1.2 billion.

West Virginia’s junior Senator also holds “over $1,000,000” in PepsiCo Inc. stock and as much as $15,000 in U.S. Treasury savings bonds, as well as numerous other public and private equity and insurance investments.

4. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.)
$136 million

The senior Senator from Milwaukee again figures prominently on Roll Call’s list, although he continued to carry at least $55 million in debt to fund personal trusts and the operations of the former department-store proprietor’s professional basketball team, the Milwaukee Bucks.

Like those of other wealthy Members, Kohl’s finances can be difficult to parse, with a number of items in his Senate disclosures listed as “over $50,000,000.” Since much of Kohl’s wealth is tied up with the Bucks, however, Roll Call’s figure is based on a 2004 valuation by Forbes of the Bucks franchise — $174 million — combined with Kohl’s other non-publicly and publicly traded assets. Kohl’s debt, at least $105 million, was then subtracted from the total, as was done with other Members.

5. Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.)
$128 million

Harman, who represents such areas as Manhattan Beach and Venice, has seen her net worth soar over the past year from $117.1 million a year ago to $128 million now.

Harman, an attorney, is married to Sidney Harman, founder of Harman International Industries, an electronics company of 20 or so brands, including the high-end Harman-Kardon stereo speakers. Harman International Industries has a market capitalization of $5.53 billion.

The Harmans own at least $50 million of the company’s common stock and may have availed themselves of more than $50 million in stock options in 2004, according to disclosure forms.

6. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.)
$121 million

Capitol Hill’s richest GOP Member also experienced notable portfolio growth in 2004, climbing at least $13 million from last year’s $108 million.

Although Issa possesses a diversified portfolio, at least 62 percent, or $76 million, is tied up in three real estate companies, Green Properties LLC, DEI LLC and Third I LLC. According to his disclosure forms, the three firms own and manage office and industrial property.

Issa founded Directed Electronics, a private company and maker of the Viper automobile alarm system and other devices.

7. Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.)
$60 million

Hayes moved up one spot in this year’s list to No. 7, as his portfolio appreciated by slightly more than $2 million.

Between 2002 and 2003, Hayes watched his portfolio expand by more than 15 percent, or almost $8 million.

More than half of Hayes’ wealth is tied up in three trust accounts that are worth at least $31 million. Depending on where they sit within the ranges provided, the troika distributed at least $1 million, and possibly as much as $5 million, in income during 2004.

The hosiery and textile heir paid off at least $600,000 in debt in 2004 by closing out two commercial loans, one of which financed aircraft. Another aircraft loan of at least $1 million, however, is still outstanding.

8. Rep. Charles Taylor (R-N.C.)
$55.3 million

After climbing 12 spots in the previous two years by adding almost $40 million to his coffers, the eight-term Member’s assets had a sleepy 2004.

Taylor’s proximity to the banking industry, and to controversy, has also remained fairly constant. According to previous reports, one of Taylor’s assets, the Financial Guaranty Corp., made a mint in the 1990s issuing loans in Russia, sometimes at interest rates exceeding 50 percent.

Although not indicated in his previous financial disclosure forms, Taylor in September 2003 invested an undisclosed amount in the Bank of Ivanovo, which is located in the Upper Volga town of Ivanovo, a few hundred miles northeast of Moscow. His 2005 disclosure statement indicates that the investment is now worth between $1 million and $5 million.

Also, in 2004, Taylor’s bank settled a wrongful death suit out of court following a robbery at a branch in Greer, S.C.

9. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)
$40 million

Feinstein’s wealth jumped by 25 percent, from $31.9 million one year ago to $40 million now.

Much of the Senator’s wealth stems from her 20-year-and-counting marriage to financier Richard Blum. Although the Roll Call list includes the assets of both spouses, on her 2004 disclosure forms, Feinstein specifically indicates the assets that are held individually and jointly by her and her husband.

According to a memo included in her 2005 disclosure forms, Feinstein’s personal assets consist of five trusts, her interest in the Carlton Hotel in San Francisco, a pension from the city of San Francisco, where she was formerly mayor, and various bank accounts.

Not including the assets Feinstein holds jointly with her husband, her approximate personal wealth is valued at no less than $2 million.

10. Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.)
$39 million

Chafee’s assets continued to nosedive in 2004, losing more than $12 million in worth since last year’s analysis and $32.3 million, or 45 percent, over the past two years.

The junior Senator became wealthy the old-fashioned way — inheritance. Prior to arriving in Washington, D.C., Chafee, the son and Senate successor of the late John Chafee (R-R.I.), was a blacksmith, a manufacturing manager and involved in state and local politics.

Changes in one particular trust account appears to be inflicting the most damage on Chafee’s portfolio. According to financial disclosure forms, the SD Chafee Blind Trust was worth almost $43 million in 2002. By 2004, the same trust was down to about $25 million.

11. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.)
$21.01 million

The six-term, sixth-generation Member’s portfolio appreciated by just more than $2 million last year.

Stocks in Frelinghuysen’s blue-chip portfolio are spread far and wide, from media giant Gannett Co., to insurer Aetna Inc. and canned-foods distributor Del Monte Foods Co. Some of his largest holdings are at least $5 million in Proctor & Gamble Co. stock and $1 million each in Eli Lilly & Co. and IBM.

12. Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.)
$19.15 million

The four-term California lawmaker’s fortune soared last year by more than $10 million.

According to his 2005 financial disclosure forms, Miller invested at least $12 million last year in land parcels in California, most of them on the final day of 2004. The lawmaker made only one sale transaction last year, unloading at least $15,000 in an investment in United Airlines.

Miller has between $3 million and $15 million in outstanding debt, as well as at least $15,000 on a revolving charge card account.

13. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)
$16 million

The House Minority Leader showed a small loss in personal wealth during the past year, although she actually rose in the Roll Call rankings thanks to retirements.

About one-third of Pelosi’s wealth is invested in a vineyard located in the Napa Valley town of St. Helena, Calif. Pelosi’s husband, Paul, also owns at least $4 million in commercial and residential real estate.

The Pelosis continue to be heavily leveraged, carrying more than $6 million in debt in bank loans for mortgages and margin and credit-line accounts.

14. Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.)
$14.2 million

The Senate Majority Leader’s net worth continued to drop last year, losing just under $1 million, or 6 percent.

Frist comes from a family with major interests in the health care industry. Nearly all of the Frist family wealth is in blind trusts, although Frist does maintain a retirement account through Vanderbilt University, as well as holding Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Motorola stock.

The Frist family sold off at least $150,000 in assets last year, including three pieces of commercial real estate and a limited partnership. Last year, the only investment made by the family was at least $1,000 worth of stock in Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

15. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.)
$14 million

The former schoolteacher and president of the American Red Cross saw her wealth soar by $3.6 million, or about 40 percent, since last year and more than $5 million, or 55 percent, since she came to office.

In addition to her investments, Dole’s husband, former Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole (R-Kan.), appears to generate significant income through consulting and writing projects.

The Doles apparently favored the debt markets last year, buying up more than $500,000 in public-sector bonds, while unloading numerous individual stocks.

16. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.)
$13.9 million

Lowey’s net worth slipped by 22 percent in the past year — still above her 2003 figure of $12.2 million, but well below her 2004 finish of $18 million.

The lawmaker’s net worth would be about the same in 2005, according to her financial disclosure forms, although Lowey’s interest in an account worth more than $4 million was reduced and the residuals transferred to other accounts.

Lowey holds at least $1 million in five separate investments, including a Bear Stearns account and an Individual Retirement Account.

The Loweys also have a stake in the law firm Lowey, Dannenberg, Bemporad & Selinger worth between $1 million and $5 million. Stephen, the lawmaker’s husband, is a partner at the firm.

17. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.)
$13.5 million

Propelled by speaking fees and book royalties, the Clintons’ wealth continued to grow last year, adding about $700,000 to their accounts.

At least $5 million of the Clinton family wealth is held in a qualified blind trust, with another $5 million kept in bank deposits.

The Senator’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, raked in $875,000 for six speaking events in 2004.

As in last year’s disclosure forms, Sen. Clinton did not list the family’s two residences — a Washington, D.C., home worth at least $2.85 million and a home in Chappaqua, N.Y., worth at least $1.7 million.

18. Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-Texas)
$12.4 million

The freshman lawmaker logs his inaugural appearance on Roll Call’s list.

The former mayor and homebuilder owns at least 2,500 acres of land in Texas worth more than $2 million. Marchant also owns stakes in mortgage and land development companies worth at least $3 million.

Marchant carries at least $1.33 million in liabilities, including mortgage debt, a margin account and lines of credit.

19 (tie). Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)
$12 million

McCain’s wealth grew by a healthy $600,000, or 5.2 percent, last year. The bulk of his fortune derives from his marriage to Cindy Hensley, whose family made millions in the wholesale liquor business.

The McCains own at least $2.5 million in developed and undeveloped property in Arizona and more than $2 million in Hensley and Co., Anheuser-Busch stock. The McCain family also owns more than $1 million in family residential property.

Despite their wealth, the Senator and his family carried almost $100,000 in credit card debt last year, including one card with at least $15,000 that charged nearly 25 percent in annual interest.

19 (tie). Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas)
$12 million

McCaul, a freshman, figures prominently on Roll Call’s 50 richest list despite his lack of seniority.

The GOP lawmaker, a former federal prosecutor, and his wife, Linda, own at least $6 million worth of stock in Clear Channel Communications. McCaul’s father-in-law, Lowry Mays, is CEO of the company.

McCaul also has a stake of at least $1 million in BBT Partners. Other holdings include at least $1 million in real estate partnership Maychild Ltd; at least $500,000 in Prime Time Inc., a newspaper publisher in San Antonio; and at least $1 million in a family trust.

The McCauls carry, according to their 2005 disclosure forms, about $525,000 worth of debt, including two credit cards and a personal loan.

21. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.)
$11.75 million

The freshman Member added at least $1.75 million to his net worth last year.

Alexander’s largest investment is in Knoxville, Tenn.-based Processed Foods Corp. stock, valued at more than $6 million. Alexander also owns at least $1 million in BFAM stock and $100,000 in Knox County, Tenn., municipal bonds.

Alexander also paid off at least $500,000 worth of debt last year, bringing his obligations down to $1.25 million from $1.75 million the year before.

22. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.)
$10.56 million

The cattle-rich Rehberg enters this year’s list 14 spots ahead of his 2004 finish and more than $3 million richer.

Rehberg’s two largest investments are Rehberg Ranch LLC, worth at least $5 million, and ranch land and livestock owned by the lawmaker that are valued at more than $5 million.

Rehberg and his wife, Jan, inherited at least $250,000 from Robert Lenhardt, Jan Rehberg’s father. The couple also own residential real estate worth at least $350,000. Other assets include shares of Gillette and Sybase. Rehberg has at least $1.3 million in debt.

23. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.)
$10.48 million

The former state Senator and U.S. representative added more than $2.5 million to his already substantial net worth in 2004, pushing him forward nine spots.

Between $1.5 million and $3 million of the lawmaker’s assets is tied to his ownership of stock in Kimberly-Clark, which was founded by Sensenbrenner’s great-grandfather.

Sensenbrenner also owns at least $500,000 worth of stock in Abbott Laboratories, between $50,000 and $100,000 worth of Halliburton stock and at least $250,000 in a Wisconsin state retirement account.

24. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.)
$9.9 million

The other wealthy Democratic Senator from Massachusetts saw his fortune stay put last year.

Nearly all of Kennedy’s wealth sits in trusts established by his father, Joseph P. Kennedy. In addition to family trusts, the senior Senator from Massachusetts has two blind trusts worth at least $1.7 million.

Last year, Kennedy purchased former President John F. Kennedy’s home in Hyannisport, Mass., from the late president’s daughter. Kennedy derives between $50,000 and $100,000 in rent annually from the property, which is mortgaged for at least $1 million.

In more modest pursuits, the Senator also makes between $1,001 and $2,500 annually from a parking space he owns in Boston.

25. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.)
$9.22 million

The former New York City Councilmember’s wealth increased by about 50 percent last year, pushing her upward by 18 spots.

Maloney, who represents the high-rent Upper East Side of New York City, owns a Monopoly-sized portfolio of real estate, with seven of her properties worth at least $3.5 million combined.

Maloney also owns stock in Colgate-Palmolive, Exxon-Mobil and PepsiCo. The Member’s liabilities include two mortgages for at least $500,000 and two loans against the estate of R.G. Bosher, her father.

26. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.)
$8.54 million

Shelby added about $1.2 million to his net worth last year and moved up 12 slots.

Shelby’s main assets are residential and commercial properties in Alabama and Washington, D.C.; a house and apartment complex in Tuscaloosa, Ala., worth at least $6 million combined; a townhouse in Washington, D.C., worth at least $1 million; and an office building in Tuscaloosa, worth $500,000.

Other assets include 50 shares of Tuscaloosa Title Co. stock worth more than $1 million and at least $250,000 in three bank accounts.

27. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.)
$8.35 million

After reporting a year-over-year loss in 2004, Smith’s net worth increased by more than $1 million in 2005.

Nearly all of Smith’s wealth derives from his interest in Smith Frozen Foods Inc., a vegetable distributor founded in 1919. Smith’s wife, Sharon, is CEO of the company.

Smith also owns a storing and packing company worth at least $500,000, as well as rental lots in Weston, Ore., worth at least $250,000.

The Senator’s only liabilities are two promissory notes for at least $265,000.

28. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.)
$8.13 million

The Illinois lawmaker’s net worth nudged up slightly last year, adding at least $230,000 to his total of $7.9 million in 2004.

More than $7 million of Emanuel’s wealth is held in qualified blind trusts. Emanuel also has at least $350,000 invested in two equity funds.

Emanuel also is owed at least $250,000 from his re-election campaign. Last year, the lawmaker sold at least $16,000 in Molex and Public Storage stock, and he purchased at least $16,000 worth of investments for his individual retirement account.

29. Rep. Clay Shaw (R-Fla.)
$8.06 million

The 13-term Member from Ft. Lauderdale owns in excess of $7 million in real estate and agricultural property. The lawmaker also owns an office building worth at least $1 million and a vacation home in North Carolina valued at more than $250,000.

According to Shaw’s disclosure forms, he has only one outstanding debt, a mortgage for more than $500,000 on an office building.

30. Rep. Thomas Petri (R-Wis.)
$7.93 million

Petri ends up three spots higher this year than 2004. He owns between $1 million and $5 million in U.S. Bank stock, between $1 million and $5 million in Berkshire Hathaway stock and between $100,000 and $500,000 in U.S. Treasury bonds.

According to his 2005 disclosure forms, Petri has one liability, a bank loan for at least $1 million.

31. Rep. John Linder (R-Ga.)
$7.74 million

The seven-term lawmaker returns to Roll Call’s list after a three-year hiatus.

At least $5 million of Linder’s wealth is invested in Grayling Industries Inc., a Georgia-based adhesive & sealant maker. The Member and his spouse also own a note worth $1 million from the sale of Linder Financial Corp., an investment worth $500,000 in Cedarwild Resort and at least $500,000 invested in a Schwab 1000 fund.

The Linder family also owns stock in Home Depot, IBM, WebMD and Microsoft. Linder also claimed $15,000 in cash on his 2005 disclosure forms.

32. Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.)
$7.62 million

Upton fell four spots on this year’s list, after losing more than $1.6 million in net worth during 2004.

But there’s a caveat: In this instance, as with some other Members, the drop may simply be due to the distribution of ranges on his disclosure forms.

The Michigan Republican’s primary asset is a blind trust worth between $5 million and $25 million, according to his financial disclosure forms. The trusts contain between $1 million and $5 million in Wrigley stock and at least $15,000 in cash.

Upton also owns at least $1 million, and as much as $5 million, in Whirlpool stock. The lawmaker is a grandson of one of the founders of the appliance maker.

33. Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio)
$7.06 million

The former county prosecutor moved up 13 spots on Roll Call’s 2005 list.

The majority of DeWine’s net worth is held in an irrevocable trust, which pays out at least $100,000 annually in dividends. The two-term Senator’s trust includes a variety of equity and debt investments, including stock in Bally Fitness, Halliburton and Honeywell Inc.

DeWine also has a loan of at least $50,000 against a life insurance policy.

34. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.)
$6.84 million

After reporting a gain of more than $1 million on last year’s list, Isakson’s net worth grew by about $20,000 in 2005.

The Senator’s largest holdings include at least $1 million each in Wachovia and Riverside Bank stocks. Isakson also owns 12 acres in Rabun County, Ga., that is worth at least $1 million.

Isakson owns seven other apartment complexes or multi-family residences in Georgia worth at least $500,000.

Isakson’s liabilities include a home equity loan and first mortgage for at least $15,000 each.

35. Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.)
$6.89 million

Dreier’s net worth fell roughly $700,000 last year, though he held onto his spot on the Roll Call list.

Dreier’s primary asset is an apartment building in Kansas City, Mo., worth at least $5 million. The lawmaker also owns $500,000 in Viacom Inc. stock and $500,000 in Oklahoma Publishing Co. stock.

Last year, Dreier sold off at least $212,000 in stock in Altria Group, Boeing, Caterpillar and others, while only buying back $96,000 worth of equities.

36. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.)
$6.7 million

Nelson’s wealth grew by $1.2 million last year, moving him up 12 spots.

Last year, Nelson sold U.S. Treasury bonds worth more than $1.25 million. The Senator purchased more than $1.35 million in bank bonds and certificates of deposit.

Nelson’s portfolio still includes U.S. Treasury notes worth between $1 million and $5 million, and more Berkshire Hathaway stock worth between $500,000 and $1 million and residential development property in Springfield, Neb., valued between $ 1 million and $5 million.

37. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas)
$6.68 million

The former Texas State Supreme Court justice moved up six spots this year and added about $500,000.

Doggett’s net worth is made up primarily of Texas residential property; one address alone is worth between $1 million and $5 million.

The six-term Member also has more than $1 million in several Vanguard investment bonds and an additional $400,000-plus in Janus funds.

38. Rep. Anne Northup (R-Ky.)
$6.63 million

Northup added about $500,000 to her previous year’s total, moving her up eight spots.

The bulk of the former teacher’s wealth is equity in Radio Sound Inc., an electronics company owned by her husband, Woody. The company is the sole distributor of sound systems for Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. The couple’s stake in Radio Sound is worth at least $5 million.

The couple also own stock in Humana Inc., Clear Channel Communications and Nokia Corp.

39. Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.)
$6.27 million

Pearce lost about $400,000 last year, but he still moves up two spots on this year’s list.

The two-term Member’s largest holding is at least $5 million worth of stock in Trinity Industries Inc., a personally held company that oversees the assets of Pearce and his wife, Cynthia.

The couple also have bank accounts worth at least $165,000.

40. Rep. Paul Gillmor (R-Ohio)
$6.2 million

Gillmor climbs four spots this year. Gillmor’s largest holding, stock in Gillmor Financial Services, is worth between $5 million and $25 million.

The lawmaker also owns an interest in Columbus, Ohio-based eatery Max & Erma’s worth at least $15,000. His other holdings include at least $50,000 in Icon Energy Fund, at least $15,000 in Berkshire Hathaway stock and at least $50,000 in a bank account.

41. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.)
$5.83 million

DeLauro’s wealth increased by $330,000 last year, moving her up seven spots.

At least $5 million of DeLauro’s net worth is staked in the firm of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research Inc., owned in part by her husband, Democratic strategist Stan Greenberg.

Greenberg also owns Greenberg Research Inc., worth at least $50,000, and 60 percent of Sun Surveys LLC, worth at least another $100,000.

DeLauro and Greenberg also have at least $250,000 in a checking account and more than $200,000 in TIAA-CREF retirement accounts.

42. Rep. Bob Beauprez (R-Colo.)
$5.8 million

The two-term Republican lawmaker and former community banker enters Roll Call’s list for the first time this year.

The bulk of Beauprez’s wealth, just more than $4.5 million, is held in the stock of the Front Range Capitol Corp., a bank in Louisville, Colo. In addition, Beauprez has almost $2 million in rental property in Lafayette, Colo.

Beauprez carries about $650,000 in mortgage debt and $100,000 in personal loans.

43. Rep. Sue Kelly (R-N.Y.)
$5.42 million

The former university professor from the Hudson River Valley returns to Roll Call’s list after a three-year absence.

Kelly’s most valuable asset is an investment in the Croton River Office Park worth at least $1 million. The lawmaker also holds two parcels of real estate worth at least $500,000 apiece.

She has investments in Intel, BP Amoco, Cisco Systems and Costco.

Kelly is heavily leveraged, holding at least $1.35 million in mortgage debt.

44. Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.)
$4.91 million

Most of the freshman lawmaker and orthopedic surgeon’s wealth is in accounts with AG Edwards and Fidelity. These accounts include investments in the Boeing Co., Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. and Monsanto.

The former Georgia state Senate Majority Leader also owns financial interests in Chattahoochee Associates, Diagnostic Ventures Roswell and the North Fulton Professional Building.

45. Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.)
$4.73 million

Nearly all of Dayton’s net worth is held in trust accounts, in which its assets are invested primarily in publicly traded companies.

Dayton, a one-time schoolteacher turned investor, is the son of the former head of the retailer that is now called Target. Dayton’s days on the list are numbered, because he announced that he will not seek a second term in 2006.

Some of the lawmaker’s trust investments include Boeing Co., Caterpillar Inc. and Duke Energy Corporation.

Dayton also holds stakes in private companies in Malaysia, India and the Cayman Islands.

46. Rep. James Leach (R-Iowa)
$4.33 million

After two years off the top 50 list, Leach returns this year.

Beyond his diverse portfolio of equities, Leach’s primary assets are Iowa farmland and a cattle company. The two are worth between $750,000 and $1.5 million.

The former Foreign Service officer has investments in Altria Group Inc., Gannett Co., Vodafone Group and others.

Another of Leach’s primary investments is a $1 million to $5 million stake in Eldridge, Iowa-based Mehta Tech Inc., a maker of digital fault recorders for utility and industrial companies.

47. Rep. Don. Sherwood (R-Pa.)
$4.17 million

The former Chevrolet dealer still holds a financial stake in Sherwood Chevrolet, but the vast majority of his wealth is elsewhere.

Sherwood has at least $1.5 million invested in two bank accounts and another $500,000 worth of equity in a realty company. The four-term lawmaker owns stock in General Motors and Ford Motor Co. as well.

Sherwood carries liabilities for at least $265,000, including a mortgage and a line of credit.

48. Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.)
$3.66 million

Although his net worth dipped by about $1 million, last year’s No. 50 on Roll Call’s list moved up two spots on this year’s list.

One of Oberstar’s largest holdings is an investment worth at least $500,000 in the John Hancock Regional Bank Fund. Oberstar also owns an annuity worth at least $100,000 and stock in Sirius Satellite Radio worth at least $100,000.

Oberstar’s other investments include La Quinta Corp., U.S. Treasury notes and FICO Strip Bonds.

49. Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas)
$3.33 million

The two-term Member and former homebuilder enters Roll Call’s list for the first time.

Neugebauer’s portfolio includes numerous tracts of property in Texas, as well as retirement, investment and bank accounts. The lawmaker also owns securities, including investments in the NASDAQ 100 and a variety of bond funds.

Neugebauer lists one liability on his 2005 financial disclosure form, a note payable to Kingdom Enterprises for between $100,000 and $250,000.

50. Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.)
$3.19 million

This freshman Democratic lawmaker rounds out the 50 Richest list, snagging the final spot with a net worth of $3.19 million.

A lawyer and former county commissioner, Barrow still owns a 30 percent stake in the firm of Winburn, Lewis, Barrow & Stoltz worth more than $500,000. Barrow is married to Victoria Pentlarge, a veterinarian, and the couple disclosed owning an animal eye care clinic worth an additional $500,000. Homes that Barrow owns in Athens, Ga., and Washington, D.C., have a combined worth of more than $1 million as well.

Barrow also disclosed an extensive portfolio of stocks, as well as joint bank accounts worth several hundred thousand dollars.

John Bresnahan, Katie Smith and Matt Reynolds contributed to this report.