U.S. Capitol.Photo: Stefan Zaklin/Getty Images
In the wake of Tuesday’s mass shooting at a Texas elementary school — in which agunman killed 19 students, a teacher and another adult — many lawmakers are calling for gun reform.
But even with hundreds of mass shootings taking place in the U.S. every year, Congress has repeatedly failed to pass any major piece of gun control legislation.
One of the most recent efforts to reform federal gun laws came in 2013 with theManchin-Toomey amendment, a measure that would have required background checks on all commercial gun sales. The amendment — which came to a vote four months after 20 first-graders and six educators were fatally shot at Sandy Hook Elementary School — failed, getting only 54 of the 60 votes it needed to overcome a filibuster.
Most of the 46 senators who voted against the amendment expressed the opinion that it simply wouldn’t work, with Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley telling reporters at the time: “Criminals do not submit to background checks now. They will not submit to expanded background checks.”
But they also shared something else in common. According to the non-partisan campaign finance research group OpenSecrets,nearly all of the 46senators who voted against the amendment had accepted significant campaign contributions from PACs associated with gun rights groups, including the National Rifle Association.
Since then, U.S. lawmakers have continued to rack up donations from gun rights groups – some to the tune of tens of millions of dollars.
Even in the immediate wake of the shooting, many Republicans continue to throw their support behind the NRA. On Friday, just days after the Uvalde school shooting, Republicans including former PresidentDonald Trumpand Sen. Ted Cruz arescheduled to headline a forumat the group’s annual meeting in Houston.
OpenSecrets maintains alist of the top recipientsof NRA and gun rights groups funds, with data updates as recently as May 16, 2022.
Below are the lawmakers who received the most funding from the NRA — either directly or indirectly — according to OpenSecrets data.
Sen. Mitt Romney.Rick Bowmer/AP/Shutterstock
Sen. Mitt Romney, Utah Republican: $13,645,387
When he’s up for reelection:Romney has said he’s undecided regarding whether he’ll choose to run for reelection in 2024.
Sen. Richard Burr.Greg Nash- Pool/Getty
Sen. Richard Burr, North Carolina Republican: $6,987,380
What he’s received:Burr has received $43,900 in direct support from the NRA; $1,356,247 in independent support; and $5,587,233 in money spent against his political opponents.
When he’s up for reelection:Burr said in 2016 that hewould not seek reelectionin 2022.
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis.Anna Moneymaker/Getty
Sen. Thom Tillis, North Carolina Republican: $5,611,796
What he’s received:Tillis has received $17,900 in direct support from the NRA; $2,412,153 in independent support; and $3,182,564 in money spent against his political opponents.
When he’s up for reelection:Tillis' term ends in 2027. It is unclear whether he will run for office again at that point.
Roy Blunt.Anna Moneymaker/Getty
Sen. Roy Blunt, Missouri Republican: $4,555,722
What he’s received:Blunt has received $82,450 in direct support from the NRA; $1,410,401 in independent support; and $3,062,871 in money spent against his political opponents.
His recent take:In a statement sent to PBS News, Blunt expressed a willingness to support some gun laws, but also spoke about the need to expand mental health programs. “As we learn more about the facts in this case, I’m open to looking at what we can do, in a bipartisan way, to prevent another tragedy like this from occurring. That might include the possibility of a red flag law to keep weapons out of the hands of people who pose an imminent threat to themselves or others.”
When he’s up for reelection:Bluntannounced in 2021that he will not seek reelection, and will retire from office in 2022.
Sen. Joni Ernst.Anna Moneymaker/Getty
Sen. Joni Ernst, Iowa Republican: $3,688,078
What she’s received:Ernst has received $19,800 in direct support from the NRA; $577,396 in independent support; and $3,091,382 in money spent against her political opponents.
Her recent take:Asked if she would support the House-passed measures to strengthen background checks, Ernst told theTimesshe needed to first better “understand the circumstances” of the Texas school shooting.
When she’s up for reelection:Ernst, who was elected to her second term in 2020, won’t see her term end until2027(it’s unclear if she plans to run for reelection at the time).
Sen. Marco Rubio.Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Republican: $3,303,355
What he’s received:$4,950 in direct support from the NRA and $1,008,030 in independent support. In addition to spending against his political opponents, the grand total in NRA spending to support Rubio is $3,303,355.
When he’s up for reelection:In 2022, Rubio faces a number of challengers in the Republican primary on Aug. 23. Rep. Val Demings is the likely Democrat who’ll be on the ballot in November, hoping to defeat Rubio, who’s served in the U.S. Senate since 2011.
Rob Portman.Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty
Sen. Rob Portman, Ohio Republican: $3,063,327
What he’s received:$20,300 in direct support from the NRA and $1,453,432 in independent support. In addition to spending against his political opponents, the grand total in NRA spending to support Portman is $3,063,327.
When he’s up for reelection:Portman announced in January, he won’t seek reelection in 2022 for a third term. After Ohio’s primary elections earlier this month, RepublicanJ.D. Vanceand Democrat Congressman Tim Ryan will face off in November.
He alsotweetedabout the Enhanced Background Checks Act and the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, saying those are “two bills we passed in the House that the Senate can take up right now. No more holding the will of the American people hostage. Either stand with us or get the hell out of the way.”
U.S. Sen. Todd Young.Kevin Dietsch/Getty
Sen. Todd Young, Indiana Republican: $2,899,232
What he’s received:$11,950 in direct support from the NRA and $440,645 in independent support. In addition to spending against his political opponents, the grand total in NRA spending to support Young is $2,899,232.
When he’s up for reelection:In November, Young will face Democrat Thomas McDermott.
Greg Nash/The Hill/Bloomberg via Getty
Sen. Bill Cassidy, Louisiana Republican: $2,864,547
What he’s received:$13,950 in direct support from the NRA and $409,201 in independent support. In addition to spending against his political opponents, the grand total in NRA spending to support Cassidy is $2,864,547.
His recent take: “Our hearts are with the families in Texas. We owe it to these families to find answers to prevent these events. Real answers that will work. God be with those affected,“Cassidy tweeted.
Cassidy is reportedly participating in discussions about gun control measures, including proposals on expanded background checks for firearms purchases and transfers as well as red flag legislation to keep people considered dangerous to themselves or others from possessing firearms,according toThe Hill.
When he’s up for reelection:Cassidy was reelected for a second term in 2020, so he’s not up for reelection until 2026 ahead of the end of his term in 2027.
Sen. Tom Cotton.Kevin Dietsch/Getty
Sen. Tom Cotton, Arkansas Republican: $1,973,201
What he’s received:$12,400 in direct support from the NRA and $1,960,801 in independent support. In addition to spending against his political opponents, the grand total in NRA spending to support Cotton is $1,973,201.
When he’s up for reelection:Cotton’s term as a senator ends in 2027, though his name has repeatedly come up on lists of those reportedlymulling a run for the presidencyin 2024.
source: people.com
