CMR still accepting NRA funds

Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers recently refused to stop accepting contributions from the National Rifle Association, stating that “what the NRA does is protect the rights of law-abiding citizens to own guns.” No, congresswoman, what the NRA does is to act as a de facto trade association for the firearms industry, opposing even common-sense provisions like universal background checks that are supported by 75 percent of NRA members, so that gun manufacturers can sell more guns.

Common Cause recently reported that corporate interests are estimated to have contributed between $19 million and $60 million to the NRA since 2005, and pay millions to advertise in NRA publications. In the 2016 federal election, the NRA spent $54 million in independent expenditures, virtually all to benefit Republicans. This is in addition to the millions contributed directly to candidates.

The NRA routinely denigrates the integrity of gun control advocates and warns of catastrophe if even modest gun reforms are enacted. Typically, NRA board member Ted Nugent said of the teenage Parkland shooting survivors who are advocating for gun reform that “they have no soul.”

This is the organization that Cathy McMorris Rodgers supports, and that supports Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

Donald D. Lamp

Spokane