WASHINGTON — The amount of money political candidates get from the National Rifle Association is under scrutiny, but the gun lobby isn’t backing down on its push for gun rights.

The powerful influence of the NRA remains steady even as mass shootings draw more attention to its agenda.

Major corporations ranging from Delta Air Lines to Hertz and MetLife all dropped business ties with the NRA, and More Americans are vocalizing their opposition to politicians connected to the group. However, the NRA still operates in a friendly political environment, with Republicans controlling both Congress and the White House.

“The NRA is doubling down on its efforts,” Dave Levinthal with the Center for Public Integrity said. “It’s spending more money on lobbying today and in recent months than it ever has in its history. So Capitol Hill lawmakers are hearing more from the NRA, they are having more contacts with people from the NRA.”

President Trump received more money than any other president from the NRA and still keeps strong ties to the organization. On Friday, Trump will speak before the NRA at its national convention.

“Safety is a big priority,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. “Security is a big priority for the administration. But we also support the Second Amendment – and strongly support it – and don’t see there to be a problem with speaking at the National Rifle Association’s meeting.”

While the NRA contributes to both parties, a majority of funds often goes to Republicans in elections. Looking closely at the last major election, the group placed multi-million dollar bets on tight, competitive congressional races and the run for the White House.

Total contributions to candidates from the NRA topped $834,000 in the 2016 campaign cycle, and in 2017, the NRA spent more than $5 million on lobbying, more than any other year in its history.

“The NRA definitely has an incredibly strong, multi-pronged political operation,” Levinthal said.

Last election cycle, the NRA’s top-funded Texas lawmaker was Rep. Pete Sessions of Dallas. Throughout his entire career he's received $160,000 from the NRA. Sen. John Cornyn also has close ties to the group. He's received $60,000 in contributions over his career.