Ernst defends the campaign donations she received from the NRA

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is defending the campaign donations she received from the National Rifle Association. Last month the New York Times reported Ernst was among the top 10 Congressional recipients.

The opinion article said the N.R.A gave Ernst more than $3 million through donations or spending to benefit her campaign. The article followed the shooting in Las Vegas that killed 58 people. Now after Sunday's mass shooting that killed 26 people in Sutherland Springs, Texas, some people are criticizing the top N.R.A. recipients again for not wanting gun control.

Friday while in Cedar Rapids, Ernst told TV9 the N.R.A doesn't influence her policy making. She says she is a second amendment supporter.

"What we have to do is to make sure the laws that are in place are being followed. In many of the instances there have been loopholes that need to be closed," said Ernst.

The Washington Post reports that Ernst only received about $10,000 in direct donations from the N.R.A. Again, the New York Times estimate accounted for other benefits, like all money spent on behalf of candidates for things like campaign commercials.