The Hill’s 50 Wealthiest lawmakers

The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee saw his minimum net worth slide slightly, from $7.9 million in 2010 to $7.7 million in 2011.

The decline was due to the disclosure of a home mortgage worth at least $250,000, raising the congressman’s total liabilities to at least $265,000. Lawmakers were required for the first time to report mortgages on their personal residences on the 2011 forms.

Upton’s fortune is largely inherited. His grandfather was one of the co-founders of the Whirlpool Corp., which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. The home appliances manufacturer is headquartered in the district Upton represents. He and his wife own stock in Whirlpool worth at least $1 million, and their holdings in various family trusts are worth at least $5 million.

The couple also has at least $30,000 worth of stock in one of Whirlpool’s chief competitors, General Electric.

- David Kaner

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