The National Rifle Association on Tuesday will begin targeting four Senate Democrats facing potentially tough reelections with a $1 million TV campaign that urges the confirmation of federal appeals judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.

The NRA's Institute for Legislative Action told Secrets Monday that the effort will target Sens. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Jon Tester of Montana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Donnelly of Indiana.



Each of the four local ads quote the senators "talking a good game," then demands that they make good on their promises to protect gun rights.

"Your freedom is on the line," the ads warn viewers and supporters.

While the senators say they support gun rights, some have taken anti-NRA positions. Tester and McCaskill voted to OK two of former President Obama's Supreme Court nominees, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, and Tester, McCaskill and Donnelly voted for Obama gun control measures.



All four senators are up for reelection in 2018 and will face large NRA memberships in the states that are considered pro-gun. The NRA has endorsed Gorsuch and believe he will protect the Second Amendment and gun rights.



"Judge Gorsuch has an impressive record that demonstrates his support for the Second Amendment," said Chris W. Cox NRA-ILA's executive director. "The NRA will activate our five million members and tens of millions of supporters to urge their senators to listen to the will of their constituents and vote to confirm Judge Gorsuch. He will protect our right to keep and bear arms and is an outstanding choice to fill Justice Scalia's seat," he added of the conservative judge.

Just last week Cox announced that the NRA-ILA would include the Gorsuch decision in 2018 Senate voting scorecards sent to members. A "No" vote will drop the grade. All four voted "No" on another NRA key vote, the nomination of Jeff Sessions to be attorney general.



In addition to the ads, the group is planning to sent out pro-Gorsuch mailers and make calls to voters urging them to pressure their senators to back the judge.

Most Democrats are expected to vote against Gorsuch and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has promised a filibuster. If he makes good on the threat, Republicans are expected to change the voting rules, launch the so-called "nuclear option," and push Gorsuch through. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has pledge to get Gorsuch confirmed before the Senate Easter recess.

Scripts of the ads are below.

Donnelly

ANNCR: Joe Donnelly TALKS a good game on gun rights.

Donnelly: The thing I'm gonna do is protect our second amendment rights.

ANNCR: But Donnelly VOTED for Barack Obama's gun control. Now Joe Donnelly has another chance. And your freedom is on the line. Tell Joe Donnelly: don't let us down again. Vote to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch. The Indiana Men and Women of the National Rifle Association are responsible for the content of this advertising.

Heitkamp

ANNCR: Heidi Heitkamp says the right things on gun rights.

HEIDI: I'm a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment.

ANNCR: Now she has a chance to prove it. Your freedom is on the line. President Trump chose a pro-gun judge for the Supreme Court. Tell Heidi Heitkamp: Say no to Chuck Schumer and the liberal elites. Vote to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch. The North Dakota Men and Women of the National Rifle Association are responsible for the content of this advertising.

McCaskill

ANNCR: Claire McCaskill TALKS a good game on gun rights.

McCASKILL: I'm a Second Amendment advocate…I was raised in a hunting

Culture.

ANNCR: But McCaskill VOTED to put anti-gun justices on the Supreme Court, not once but TWICE. Now Claire McCaskill has another chance. And your freedom is on the line. Tell Senator McCaskill: don't let us down again. Vote to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch. The Missouri Men and Women of the National Rifle Association are responsible for the content of this advertising.

Tester

ANNCR: Jon Tester TALKS a good game on gun rights.

TESTER: We shouldn't be taking guns away from law-abiding citizens in this

Country.

ANNCR: But Tester VOTED to put anti-gun justices on the Supreme Court, not once but TWICE. Now Jon Tester has another chance. And your freedom is on the line. Tell Jon Tester: don't let us down again. Vote to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch. The Montana Men and Women of the National Rifle Association are responsible for the content of this advertising.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner's "Washington Secrets" columnist, can be contacted at pbedard@washingtonexaminer.com