Three things for November 5
1. NRA sued for violating campaign finance laws
Through her nonprofit Griffords Law Center, former Arizona congresswoman Gabby Giffords filed a federal lawsuit against the National Rifle Association, accusing the organization of willfully violating campaign finance laws.
The lawsuit alleges the NRA uses shell companies to send $35 million in unlawful campaign contributions to Republican candidates running for office.
It claims the organization coordinated with different political campaigns to siphon money in a way that violated campaign finance laws. Beneficiaries of this scheme include several Republican senators.
The NRA claims this lawsuit is a political attack.
“Another premeditated abuse of the public by our adversaries — who will stop at nothing in their pursuit of their anti-freedom agenda,” said the group in a statement.
This latest lawsuit comes as the NRA faces battles on multiple political fronts. In 2020, New York Attorney General Letitia James sued the organization to see it dissolved. The lawsuit is still ongoing. Earlier this year, a federal judge denied the NRA’s bankruptcy case.
2. Jenna Ryan sentenced to 60 days in prison
Jenna Ryan, a real estate agent in Texas, is being sentenced to 60 days in prison for her involvement in the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. Ryan flew to DC on a private plane and livestreamed herself in the Capitol.
On March 26, Ryan posted a tweet stating she would not go to jail. During her trial, the prosecutor argued this tweet showed Ryan’s belief she is above the law.
Ryan denies this notion. In a letter sent to the judge in the case, Ryan said she felt it was unlikely for her to go to prison, not that she was above the law.
Since the Jan. 6 riot, the FBI has made over 650 arrests.
3. Robert Santos confirmed as first person of color to be Director of Census Bureau
In a 58-35 vote on Thursday, the Senate confirmed Robert Santos as the first person of color to be the Director of the Census Bureau.
Santos “is an expert in survey sampling, survey design and more generally in social science/policy research, with over 40 years of experience,” said the White House in a statement.
Santos’ term will be five years long and will expire on Dec. 31, 2026. He is inheriting the Census Bureau after several factors made it difficult to complete the survey last year, including COVD-19.
Santos also currently serves as vice president and chief methodologist at the Urban Institute, a nonprofit research organization.
