
As Republicans begin heaping "thoughts and prayers" on the families of the 17-plus people killed in Wednesday's deadly shooting at a high school outside Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, a writer for Jimmy Kimmel Live! made sure to note how much each had taken from the National Rifle Association.
"Heartbreaking news out of Florida," Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) tweeted. "Jane and I send our prayers to the school, the community, and the victims of this tragedy."
Heartbreaking news out of Florida. Jane and I send our prayers to the school, the community, and the victims of this tragedy.— Rob Portman (@Rob Portman)1518644099.0
"$3,061,941.00 from the NRA to make sure Americans buy guns," Kimmel writer Bess Kalb tweeted, quoting the Texas Republican.
$3,061,941.00 from the NRA to make sure Americans buy guns. https://t.co/rXKbCaDHLf— Bess Kalb (@Bess Kalb)1518651082.0
"In the 2015-2016 election cycle alone, GOP candidates took $17,385,437 from the NRA," Kalb noted, quoting a tweet from Republican National Convention chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel.
"This is NOT counting the $21 million given to President Trump," she added.
This is NOT counting the $21 million given to President Trump.— Bess Kalb (@Bess Kalb)1518654240.0
Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) was "devastated" about the news — and also took over $800,000 from the NRA.
I'm devastated to hear about the tragedy in Florida. Praying today for the students and all those impacted.— Congressman Ken Buck (@Congressman Ken Buck)1518644437.0
$800,544 from the NRA. https://t.co/ZfrdCCc0jB— Bess Kalb (@Bess Kalb)1518651494.0
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) asked his followers and constinuents to keep the "victims, their families, first responders and the community" in their thoughts and prayers. Kalb noted that he took nearly $4.5 million from the NRA.
Tragic news out of Florida. Please keep the victims, their families, first responders and the community in your thoughts and prayers.— Senator Thom Tillis (@Senator Thom Tillis)1518646781.0
$4,418,012.00 Four million four hundred eighteen thousand and twelve dollars from the NRA. https://t.co/kPZQIPTg42— Bess Kalb (@Bess Kalb)1518651340.0
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) also said he'd be "praying for the students, teachers and first responders" caught up in the "tragic" shooting. He took nearly $3 million from the NRA, Kalb detailed.
Praying for the students, teachers and first responders affected by the tragic shooting in Florida. Our hearts go o… https://t.co/iR224QUGYe— Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@Bill Cassidy, M.D.)1518645502.0
$2,861,047.00 from the NRA to make sure Americans keep buying guns. https://t.co/3OZay5yRZs— Bess Kalb (@Bess Kalb)1518651183.0
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) was "heartbroken," and also accepted over $3 million from the organization.
I am heartbroken for the students & family of those involved in this horrible tragedy & I'm praying for our first r… https://t.co/cJFeU8mTmN— Cory Gardner (@Cory Gardner)1518642531.0
$3,879,064.00 https://t.co/QXhmuQKTpF— Bess Kalb (@Bess Kalb)1518651028.0
"God have mercy on your NRA-kept souls," she said, listing off each Republican congressperson with their large donations from the gun-rights organization.
God have mercy on your NRA-kept souls: Richard Burr $6,986,620 Roy Blunt $4,551,146 Thom Tillis $4,418,012 Cor… https://t.co/PvvZ82VP9D— Bess Kalb (@Bess Kalb)1518644650.0