June 28, 2010 - The nomination of Elena Kagan to serve on the United States Supreme Court has drawn scrutiny from the powerful pro-gun lobby. Although Kagan's confirmation is likely to survive the Senate Judiciary Committee, it will be difficult to guarantee the Senate will have the 60 votes necessary to assure confirmation.
With the passing of Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) on Monday, Republican votes have become particularly important to the confirmation process. Judiciary Republicans Cornyn and Coburn were the fourth ($29,350) and seventh ($25,181) biggest Senate recipients of pro-gun lobbying money from May 6, 2004 and May 5, 2010. All Republicans on the committee received contributions from pro-gun groups. The only Democratic Senator on the Judiciary committee to receive money from pro-gun groups during this time span is outgoing Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter, who spent most of this period as a Republican before switching to the Democrats in 2009.
Click here to see where pro-gun money goes in the House and Senate.
