Which Senators Have Benefitted the Most from NRA Money?

The majority of Americans support stronger gun laws — laws that are proven to reduce deaths. But in 2019, the NRA spent $3.22 million to benefit the political campaigns of senators who oppose gun safety legislation. In 2020, they spent $2.20 million. These senators refuse to support common-sense gun reform, like expanding Brady Background Checks and banning assault weapons.

Our chart lists the senators who have benefitted the most from the NRA’s political spending throughout their entire political careers, along with the average number of gun deaths per year in their state. Mitch McConnell comes in at #14, having received more than $1.2 million in direct donations, independent expenditures, and other patronages over his career.

Tweet an NRA-backed senator to let them know that if they don't start representing voters instead of the gun lobby, then we will vote them out.

Note: This data includes direct and indirect support, including political spending independent of any coordination of said campaign. An * indicates updated 2020 election cycle funds.

Senator NRA Spending Gun Deaths in State
(per year)
Mitt Romney (UT) 400
Richard Burr (NC) 1,470
Roy Blunt (MO) 1,288
Thom Tillis (NC) 1,470
Marco Rubio (FL) 2,449
Joni Ernst (IA) 302
Rob Portman (OH) 1,602
Todd C. Young (IN) 1,021
Bill Cassidy (LA) 1,036
Tom Cotton (AR) 596
Pat Toomey (PA) 1,628
Josh Hawley (MO) 1,288
Marsha Blackburn (TN) 1,273
Mitch McConnell (KY) 770
Ronald Harold "Ron" Johnson (WI) 641
Mike Braun (IN) 1,021
John Thune (SD) 112
Shelley Moore Capito (WV) 330
Richard Shelby (AL) 1,090
Chuck Grassley (IA) 302
John Neely Kennedy (LA) 1,036
Ted Cruz (TX) 3,647
Lisa Murkowski (AK) 173
Steve Daines (MT) 214
Johnny Isakson (GA) 1,693
Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS) 686
Roger Wicker (MS) 686
Rand Paul (KY) 770
Mike Rounds (SD) 112
John Boozman (AR) 596
John Cornyn (TX) 3,647
Ben Sasse (NE) 183
Jim Inhofe (OK) 735
Lindsey Graham (SC) 964
Mike Crapo (ID) 278
Jerry Moran (KS) 434
John Barrasso (WY) 125
John Hoeven (ND) 238
Jim Risch (ID) 278
Susan Collins (ME) 154
Deb Fischer (NE) 183
James Lankford (OK) 735
Tim Scott (SC) 964
Kevin Cramer (ND) 238
Bill Hagerty (TN) 1,273
Roger Marshall (KS) 434
Tommy Tubberville (AL) 1,090
Cynthia Lummis (WY) 125

The data in the chart above was obtained from OpenSecrets, a nonprofit organization that tracks data on campaign finance and lobbying.