How the NRA exerts influence over Congress
The National Rifle Association uses campaign expenditures and a rating system based on members' voting histories to exert influence over members of Congress. Use this graphic to see who gets the most -- and least -- support.
$10,000
$1,000
Received 2012 donation
Received career donation
261 candidates received donations in 2012
Nearly all of the contributions to House
and Senate candidates went to Republicans.
Democrats
25
Republicans
236
... totaling about $650,000
Republican candidates received
about 90 percent of that money.
Democrats
$74,000
Republicans
$583,646
About 80% of them won
Over 80 percent of the candidates funded
by the NRA won their House or Senate races.
2012 election results
Winners
$524,946
Losers
$132,700
Which means 213 members of the 113th Congress
received NRA dollars in 2012
2012 election results
Winners
$524,946
Senate
Democrats
Donations: $4,500
Republicans
Donations: $32,408
Elected
in 2012
House
Democrats
Donations: $45,000
Republicans
Donations: $442,988
... and 60% received a total of $4.3 million since 1990
Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska)
are tops in their respective chambers.
Senate
Democrats
Total donations: $69,100
Republicans
Total donations: $849,263
House
Democrats
Total donations: $352,646
Republicans
Total donations: $3 million
Most top recipients have highest ratings and longest tenure
On average, the NRA gives Republicans
higher marks than their Democratic counterparts.
Senate Democrats
Average rating: D
Senate Republicans
Average rating: A-
Better rating
Worse rating
More experience
Less experience
Less experience
More experience
House Democrats
Average rating: D
House Republicans
Average rating: A
Better rating
Worse rating
More experience
Less experience
Less experience
More experience
Correction: An earlier version of this graphic included lawmakers who retired in 2012 but had taken NRA contributions before they announced their retirement.
About NRA ratings
The NRA grades candidates based on their voting record on gun issues or on a questionnaire.
A+ "Excellent voting record" and "vigorous effort" on gun rights.
A "Solidly pro-gun," backed NRA on key votes or has positive record on gun rights.
AQ Pro-gun rating based solely on a questionnaire and without a voting record.
B May have opposed "pro-gun reform" or backed some gun restrictions.
C "Not necessarily a passing grade." Mixed record" on gun votes.
D "Anti-gun" supporter of "gun control legislation" who "can usually be counted on to vote wrong on key issues."
F "True enemy of gun owners' rights."
NOTE: Career donations are totals since 1990.
SOURCE: Center for Responsive Politics, Sunlight Foundation, Project Vote Smart, NRA. GRAPHIC: Wilson Andrews, Kat Downs, Dan Keating and Karen Yourish - The Washington Post. Published Jan. 15, 2013.
