Study Links Slaveholder Ancestry to Congressional Wealth

A recent study reveals that U.S. Congress members with ancestors who owned slaves have a significantly higher net worth compared to those without such a background. Researchers linked genealogical data from a 2023 Reuters investigation with financial disclosures, discovering that legislators with slaveholding ancestors had an average net worth of $1.28 million versus under $100,000 for their peers. Those whose ancestors owned 16 or more slaves saw a net worth five times higher. Notable Congress members with such ancestry include Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Mitch McConnell. The study highlights the enduring impact of slavery on wealth and status in the U.S., emphasizing how historical injustices shape contemporary inequality.