Former Obama White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley lambasted Sen. Heidi Heitkamp Mary (Heidi) Kathryn HeitkampCentrists, progressives rally around Harris pick for VP 70 former senators propose bipartisan caucus for incumbents Susan Collins set to play pivotal role in impeachment drama MORE (D-N.D.) and other Democrats who voted this week against an amendment to bolster background checks for firearms, warning that gun control advocates would not forget.



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In a scathing opinion piece penned for, Daley recounted contributing $2,500 to Heitkamp’s successful 2012 bid to become North Dakota’s junior senator.Now, Daley said, “I want my money back.”

“She struck me as strong-willed, principled and an independent thinker,” Daley wrote. “But this week, Heitkamp betrayed those hopes. “



Daley’s ire centers on Wednesday’s vote on a bipartisan amendment to strengthen background checks on gun purchases. Proponents of the measure fell half a dozen votes shy of the 60 needed for passage in a major blow to efforts to tackle gun control through legislative action.



Heitkamp defended her vote.



“Throughout the debate, I stood firm and protected the Second Amendment rights of North Dakotans,” she said in a written statement after the amendment was defeated.



Citing her background as an attorney general, Heitkamp said focusing on mental health issues and shoring up the National Instant Criminal Background System (NICS) would be a better approach than the proposal crafted by Sens. Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinSenate leaders quash talk of rank-and-file COVID-19 deal OVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency MORE (D-W.Va.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).



“I felt the Manchin-Toomey amendment ultimately would place undue burdens on law-abiding North Dakotans,” Heitkamp said.



But Daley pointed to polling suggesting that 94 percent of the state’s residents supported the amendment and said it was “more likely that she heard from the gun lobby and chose to listen to it instead.”



Daley also had harsh words for Sens. Mark Pryor Mark Lunsford PryorCoronavirus poses risks for Trump in 2020 Tom Cotton's only Democratic rival quits race in Arkansas Medicaid rollback looms for GOP senators in 2020 MORE (D-Ark.) and Max Baucus Max Sieben BaucusBottom line Bottom line The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - George Floyd's death sparks protests, National Guard activation MORE (D-Mont.), who also voted against the measure. Both are up for reelection next year.



“And no doubt they’ll come to Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and other cities looking for money to fuel their campaigns,” Daley wrote. “So I’ll have some advice for my friends in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles: Just say no to the Democrats who said no on background checks.”



This story was updated on Sunday at 2:56 p.m. to correct the the amount that Daley contributed This story was updated on Sunday at 2:56 p.m. to correct the the amount that Daley contributed