Under the Ethics in Government Act, members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are required to file periodic financial disclosures outlining their assets, liabilities, and outside income. Because these forms require disclosing private businesses, partnerships, and alternative assets, they provide a fascinating window into the entrepreneurial careers lawmakers led before entering public life.
Here are 10 of the most unusual and memorable assets reported on public disclosure forms.
The Chicago Cubs & Historic Wrigley Field
Senator Pete Ricketts, former governor of Nebraska whose family founded TD Ameritrade, holds a significant family stake in Chicago Baseball Holdings LLC. The entity owns the 2016 World Series champion Chicago Cubs, their historic home Wrigley Field, and the Marquee Sports Network.
18+ McDonald's Fast Food Franchises
Before entering Congress, Representative Kevin Hern started his career working behind the counter at McDonald's. Over decades of franchise entrepreneurship, his holding company (KTAK Enterprises) acquired and operated more than 18 McDonald's restaurants across northeastern Oklahoma.
The Viper Car Alarm Voice Box
Rep. Darrell Issa built Directed Electronics from scratch, creating the iconic Viper car alarm system that dominated the 1990s auto market. In one of the most famous pieces of Capitol Hill trivia, the recorded warning voice that told potential car thieves, "Protected by Viper, stand back!" was recorded by Issa himself.
Early Bitcoin (BTC)
Often described as Capitol Hill’s most vocal crypto advocate, Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis bought her first Bitcoin back in 2013 for roughly $330 each after being introduced to the technology by her daughter and son-in-law. Her subsequent public disclosures regularly list holdings in Bitcoin valued well into the six figures.
The Empire State Building
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal’s disclosures reflect family investments held through Malkin Holdings LLC, the prominent New York real estate firm led by his father-in-law, Peter Malkin. The group notably spearheaded the consolidation and public REIT listing that includes the Empire State Building.
"Super Scooper" Firefighting Airplanes
Prior to his election to the Senate in 2024, former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy founded Bridger Aerospace in Bozeman, Montana. The company assembled an aerial firefighting fleet featuring specialized Canadair CL-415 amphibious water bombers used to suppress western wildfires.
Northern Virginia Auto Dealerships
Representative Don Beyer’s family business, Beyer Automotive Group, has been a fixture in Northern Virginia for generations. The enterprise operates multiple high-volume dealerships selling brands such as Volvo, Land Rover, Subaru, and Kia across the greater D.C. metro area.
St. Helena Wine Country Vineyard
While news headlines often focus on trading disclosures in big tech options, Rep. Pelosi and her husband Paul also report a 16-acre estate and vineyard in St. Helena, Napa Valley. The property produces commercial wine grapes that generate five- to six-figure harvest income each season.
The 50-Foot Motor Yacht "Enterprise"
Representative Vern Buchanan, who built a network of 18 auto dealerships across Florida, disclosed personal ownership of a 50-foot luxury yacht named the Enterprise, alongside various charter aircraft leases and corporate real estate holding entities.
Pioneering Cellular Spectrum Licenses
Decades before entering the Senate or serving as Virginia Governor, Mark Warner co-founded Columbia Capital. In the 1980s, when cellular telecommunications was in its infancy, he recognized the value of FCC cellular franchise licenses and co-founded Fleet Call (which eventually became Nextel Communications).