According to a report by OpenSecrets.org, the National Rifle Association (NRA) has been actively involved in political contributions, lobbying, and outside spending during the 2022 election cycle. As a major player in the political landscape, the NRA ranked 813th out of 30,777 organizations in terms of contributions, with a total of $728,244. In lobbying efforts, the NRA ranked 260th out of 9,073 in 2022, spending $2,630,000 that year and $4,920,000 in 2021.
A significant portion of the NRA's financial support goes to the Republican party and its candidates. The top recipients of NRA funds in the 2022 cycle include the NRA Victory Fund ($6,509,750), the National Republican Congressional Committee ($30,050), and the National Republican Senatorial Committee ($30,000). Notably, the majority of individual candidates who received NRA support are Republicans.
The NRA's outside spending in the 2022 cycle amounted to $15,898,751, reflecting the organization's conservative viewpoint. Independent expenditures reveal a clear preference for supporting Republicans and opposing Democrats. A total of $9,947,233 (62.57%) went towards supporting Republican candidates, while $5,921,046 (37.24%) was spent against Democratic candidates. In contrast, only a meager $30,420 (0.19%) was spent supporting Democrats, with no expenditures against Republicans.
In summary, the NRA has been an influential force in the political sphere, with substantial spending on contributions, lobbying, and outside expenditures. The organization's financial support is strongly aligned with the Republican party and its candidates, emphasizing its conservative stance and commitment to promoting pro-gun policies.
Here are the numbers:
National Rifle Association (NRA) Financial Overview (2022 Cycle):
Contributions:
Rank: 813 of 30,777
Total: $728,244
Lobbying:
Rank: 260 of 9,073 in 2022
Total in 2022: $2,630,000
Total in 2021: $4,920,000
Outside Spending:
Rank: 19 of 605
Total: $15,898,751
Top Recipients (2022 Cycle):
NRA Victory Fund: $6,509,750
National Republican Congressional Committee: $30,050
National Republican Senatorial Committee: $30,000
Jim Jordan (R-OH04): $9,950
Ron Johnson (R-WIS2): $9,900
Chuck Grassley (R-IAS1): $9,900
John Thune (R-SDS1): $9,900
Steve Scalise (R-LA01): $9,900
Katie Boyd Britt (R-ALS2): $9,900
Mike Garcia (R-CA25): $9,900
Sources of Funds:
From Organization: $7,226,285 (99.84%)
Individuals: $11,709 (0.16%)
Recipients of Funds:
Outside Groups: $6,509,750 (89.94%)
Candidates: $643,905 (8.89%)
Party Committees: $73,139 (1.01%)
Leadership PACs: $10,900 (0.15%)
527 Groups: $300 (0.00%)
Lobbying:
2021: $4,920,000
Revolving Door: 5 out of 14 NRA lobbyists in 2021 have previously held government jobs.
2022: $2,630,000
Revolving Door: 5 out of 15 NRA lobbyists in 2022 have previously held government jobs.
Most Frequently Lobbied Bill in the 117th Congress: H.R.2469 - Silencers Help Us Save Hearing Act
Outside Spending (2022 Cycle):
Total: $15,898,751
Discloses Donors: Yes
Viewpoint: Conservative
Independent Expenditures:
For Republicans: $9,947,233 (62.57%)
Against Democrats: $5,921,046 (37.24%)
For Democrats: $30,420 (0.19%)
Against Republicans: $0 (0.00%)