Heritage Action for America
Heritage Action for America is a conservative policy advocacy organization, founded in 2010. It works with citizen activists nationwide to generate support for legislation in the U.S. Congress.[1] The organization has state operations in North Carolina and Pennsylvania[2] and is a sister organization of the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation.[2][3] Heritage Action's chief executive is Michael A. Needham.[4]
Activities
The organization was launched primarily as a response to The Heritage Foundation's growing membership, and the fact that The Heritage Foundation is not allowed to back pieces of legislation due to its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Heritage Action fulfills this role and provides a link between the think tank and grassroots conservative activists.[5] Heritage Action was first announced in April 2010 by Ed Feulner, president of The Heritage Foundation. He stated the purpose of the organization was to harness "grassroots energy to increase the pressure on Members of Congress to embrace The Heritage Foundation’s policy recommendations." He also stated it would not be involved in election campaigns.[6]
Heritage Action launched its first advocacy campaign in July 2010, targeting Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), President Barack Obama's health care reform law.[5] By August 2010 the organization had helped to secure 170 Republican co-sponsors for a petition by Rep. Steve King to force a vote on repealing the healthcare reform.[7] Following this, in September 2010, the group began a 10-day television and web campaign to persuade Democrats to sign onto a repeal of the law.[8] The group opened its state operations in North Carolina and Pennsylvania in January 2011, specifically to focus on mobilizing voters against the health care law.[9]
Heritage Action received attention in late 2010 for its opposition to the New START treaty, an agreement between the United States and Russia to reduce nuclear weapons.[10] The organization sent out fliers to a targeted group of conservatives in Tennessee, which argued that the treaty could lead to nuclear proliferation.[11]
Heritage Action for America produces the radio show Istook Live!, hosted by former Oklahoma congressman Ernest Istook.[12][13]
Legislation supported
- H.R. 273 - 113th Congress - Heritage Action expressed support for H.R. 273 (113th Congress) to eliminate the 2013 statutory pay adjustment for Federal employees.[14] The bill would overrule President Obama's December 27, 2012 Executive Order #13635, which would end the on-going pay freeze and give civilian federal employees a 0.5% raise in 2013. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this measure would save the federal government $11 billion over 10 years.[15] The bill passed the United States House of Representatives in the 113th United States Congress on February 15, 2013.[16]
References
- ^ May, Caroline (17 June 2010). "Heritage spin-off targets ObamaCare in first grassroots campaign". The Daily Caller. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
- ^ a b Christensen, Rob (11 January 2011). "Heritage Foundation Sinks Its Roots in NC". The News & Observer.
- ^ Weber, Joseph. "Hybrid groups using freedom, cash clout; Conservatives purchase ads,start petitions". The Washington Times.
- ^ Hopkins, Christopher Snow; Khan, Naureen (9 October 2010). "People; Interest Groups". The National Journal.
- ^ a b Smithwick, Benjamin (5 July 2010). "The Fight to Repeal Obamacare". Human Events.com. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
- ^ Ed Feulner (9 April 2010). "Morning Bell: Heritage Action for America". Morning Bell. The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
- ^ Gizzi, John (27 August 2010). "Sen. Chuck Hagel Strikes Again". Human Events.com. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
- ^ Arsenault, Mark (11 September 2010). "GOP focus is jobs, not health care; Candidates mostly avoid issue party pledged to hammer". The Boston Globe.
- ^ Budoff-Brown, Carrie (7 January 2011). "Anti-Reform Dems Cool to Repeal Vote". The News & Observer.
- ^ "Right wing group uses fear to fight New START". RT.com. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
- ^ Theobald, Bill (12 December 2010). "Corker Faces Political Dilemma on Nuclear Treaty". The Tennessean.
- ^ "Tuesday, July 10,2012". Talkers. July 10, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
- ^ "Heritage Action for America Launches 'Istook Live!' Radio Show". Entertainment Close-Up. July 13, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
- ^ DeSantis, Ron (14 Feb 2013). "Federal pay freeze bill paves way for reduced spending". The Hill. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- ^ Lunney, Kellie. "House to Vote on Fed Pay Freeze". goveexec.com. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- ^ "H.R. 273 - Congress.gov". United States Congress. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
