The NRA Spends a Lot of Money on the Texas Congressional Delegation

In the wake of last week’s school shooting in Parkland, Florida, which claimed the lives of seventeen people, there are renewed calls for gun control legislation, as well as clamors from constituents to understand how much money their elected representatives have received from the National Rifle Association. According to this graphic from the Washington Post, the Texas delegation, since 1998, has received more donations than any other state.

And OpenSecrets.org, a website run by the Center for Responsive Politics, published a tally of all campaign contributions that members of Congress have received from the NRA during their time in office. Below, the 38 members of the Texas delegation are listed in order of the amount of those contributions, from highest to lowest. Their latest NRA grade, based on their voting record on gun issues, is included as well.

Nine members of the Texas delegation—all Republicans—received A+ ratings from the NRA. These include senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn. Another eighteen members—all Republicans except for U.S. representative Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Laredo—received an A grade. Seven Democrats, including U.S. representative Beto O’Rourke—who is hoping to unseat Cruz in the Senate this fall—received an F rating. Only two Texas Democrats—U.S. representative Gene Green, from Houston, and Cuellar—accepted any money from the NRA.

U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas (TX 32)

Last NRA Rating: A+
Total NRA Contributions: $158,111
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas

Last NRA Rating: A+
Total NRA contributions: $77,450
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis (TX 6)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $63,912
Seventeen term congressman Joe Barton announced last November that he would not seek reelection, after a nude photo of the congressman surfaced on the internet.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas

Last NRA rating: A+
Total NRA contributions: $59,635
Not up for reelection until 2020.

U.S. Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston (TX 29)

Last NRA rating: B-
Total NRA contributions: $46,814
Green announced in November that he is retiring from Congress.

U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston (TX 7)

Last NRA rating: A+
Total NRA contributions: $41,389
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio (TX 21)

Last NRA rating: A+
Total NRA contributions: $41,014
Smith announced in November that he is retiring from Congress.

U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Plano (TX 3)

Last NRA rating: A+
Total NRA contributions: $35,014
This 87-year-old congressman, who has held his seat for 25 years, announced in early 2017 that he is retiring at the end of his term this year.

U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Clarendon (TX 13)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $31,514
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands (TX 8)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $30,005
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Austin (TX 10)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $28,916
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas (TX 5)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $28,885
Hensarling, an eight-term congressman, announced last October he is retiring at the end of his term.

U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-San Antonio (TX 23)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $27,771
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock (TX 31)

Last NRA rating: A+
Total NRA contributions: $27,014
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo (TX 28)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $26,719
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess, R-Lewisville (TX 26)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $19,485
Running for reelection in 2018

U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth (TX 12)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $19,014
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Midland (TX 11)

Last NRA rating: A+
Total NRA contributions: $16,064
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, R-Humble (TX 2)

Last NRA rating: A+
Total NRA support: $15,436
Poe, a seven-term congressman, announced in November that he is retiring from Congress in 2018.

U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land (TX 22)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $15,303
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-Coppell (TX 24)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $14,814
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, Jr., R-Tyler (TX 1)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $13,386
Running for reelection in 2018

U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Bryan (TX 17)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $12,000
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi (TX 27)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $9,500
Following allegations of sexual harassment, Farenthold announced in December that he is retiring from congress.

U.S. Rep. Brian Babin, R-Woodville (TX 36)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $7,500
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin (TX 25)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $6,500
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Heath (TX 4)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $4,500
Running for reelection in 2018.

U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock (TX 19)

Last NRA rating: A
Total NRA contributions: $2,000
Running for reelection in 2018.