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# 'Vital Statistics' on Congress Members Shows Increase in Cost Per Seat
- URL: https://ivn.us/vital-statistics-on-congress-members/
- Published: 2013-07-13T12:00:21.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-22T19:40:31.000Z
- Author: Alex Gauthier
- Tags: News

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player\_embedded&v=8P4ArJ9lfIU#at=99

For over 30 years the joint venture between Norm Ornstein of the [American Enterprise Institute](http://www.aei.org/?ref=ivn.us) and Tom Mann of The [Brookings](http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports/2013/07/vital-statistics-congress-mann-ornstein?ref=ivn.us) Institution has provided a 'Vital Statistics' report on congressional fundraising.

This comprehensive look at congress covers 8 chapters. The study spans a wide breadth of topics from polarization to the decline in legislative productivity.

According to data compiled by Michael J. Malbin of the campaign finance institute, the average cost of a congressional seat has increased significantly. In 2002 the average Senate seat cost $4,758,737 to win election. That has grown to $10,351,556 in 2012\. Similarly the an average House of Representatives seat cost $1,163,499 in 2002\. Last election, an average representative needed to raise $1,596,953 to win a House seat.