Grapevine the Millionaires Club: Take the Money and Run

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The Senate has long been a haven for the rich, but some enterprising House members aren't doing so badly themselves. Under a House rule, Congressmen elected in 1980 or earlier are allowed to "convert" unspent funds in their campaign war chests to their personal use if they leave the House by 1992. With the deadline closing in, at least six members who have accumulated $1 million or more could decide to cash in. New York Democrats Stephen Solarz and Charles Schumer may be fighting for the same seat after their districts are reapportioned, and both are considering challenging Republican Senator Alfonse D'Amato. Alabama Democrat Ronnie Flippo plans to use the money this year to finance a race for Governor. There are also whispers that Dan Rostenkowski, the powerful Illinois Democrat, has decided that adding an extra million dollars to his inflation-indexed pension is good reason to retire after one more term.