Senator Roy Blunt, Other MO Lawmakers Pay NRA From Campaign Funds

ST. LOUIS, MO — The Post-Dispatch reports Republican Sen. Roy Blunt is among a handful of lawmakers who use campaign funds to pay dues to the National Rifle Association, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. The paper found $1,000 paid to the NRA from Blunt's campaign for membership dues and another $1,050 for dinners and other NRA-sponsored events.

Other Missouri lawmakers who made payments to the NRA from campaign funds include Republican Rep. Jason Smith — $3,000 — and Republican Rep. Vicky Hartzler —$500.

Though the FEC prohibits using campaign funds for personal expenses, the payments appear to be legal due to a loophole in federal law that allows campaign payments, including membership dues, to political organizations. FEC guidelines further prohibit the use of campaign funds for costs politicians would have to pay even if they weren't candidates for office, the Post-Dispatch says, offering an insight into the political power of the NRA, especially in Republican politics:

The question, for candidates, is how they think of NRA membership, said Larry Noble, general counsel of the Campaign Legal Center and former general counsel at the FEC.

“Are they saying they would not be a member of the NRA if they weren’t an officeholder?” he asked.

Read more from the Post-Dispatch.

Photo: Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association Wayne LaPierre walks on stage prior to his remarks during the Conservative Political Action Conference in February 2017. Hosted by the American Conservative Union, CPAC is an annual gathering of right wing politicians, commentators and their supporters. (Alex Wong/News/Getty Images)