Heritage Action

{{Further|The Heritage Foundation}}

In April 2010, Edwin Feulner, then president of the Heritage Foundation, announced the founding of Heritage Action as a sister organization of the Heritage Foundation, saying its purpose would be to harness "grassroots energy to increase the pressure on Members of Congress to embrace the Heritage Foundation’s policy recommendations". He also said Heritage Action would not be involved in election campaigns.{{cite web | url=http://blog.heritage.org/2010/04/09/morning-bell-heritage-action-for-america/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100411021630/http://blog.heritage.org/2010/04/09/morning-bell-heritage-action-for-america/ | url-status=unfit | archive-date=April 11, 2010 | title=Morning Bell: Heritage Action for America | author=Ed Feulner | date=April 9, 2010 | work=Morning Bell | publisher=The Heritage Foundation | access-date = January 20, 2011}} Heritage Action's goal was to expand the political reach of the Heritage Foundation and advance the policies recommended by its researchers.{{cite news |title=Heritage Action's Distinct Lobbying Plan |author=Suzy Khimm |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-34164550.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714224421/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-34164550.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 25, 2013 |access-date=May 23, 2014}}

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 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=37698 |title=The Fight to Repeal Obamacare |first=Benjamin |last=Smithwick |date=July 5, 2010 |work=Human Events.com |access-date=January 17, 2011 |archive-date=December 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231212358/http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=37698 |url-status=dead }} Heritage Action began with a staff of ten, including original chief executive officer Michael Needham.{{cite news |title=Heritage Launches Grassroots Advocacy Group |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-223409342.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714140238/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-223409342.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |work=States News Service |date=April 8, 2010 |access-date=May 23, 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.humanevents.com/2010/07/05/the-fight-to-repeal-obamacare/ |title=The Fight to Repeal Obamacare |author=bsmithwick |date=July 5, 2010 |work=Human Events |publisher=The Human Events Group |access-date=May 23, 2014 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016043120/http://www.humanevents.com/2010/07/05/the-fight-to-repeal-obamacare/ |url-status=dead }}

In July 2010, Heritage Action launched its first advocacy campaign, opposing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, a health care reform law supported by then President Barack Obama. By August 2010, the organization had helped to secure 170 Republican co-sponsors for a petition by U.S. Representative Steve King (R-NY) to force a vote on repealing the ACA.{{cite web |url=http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38738 |title=Sen. Chuck Hagel Strikes Again |first=John |last=Gizzi |date=August 27, 2010 |work=Human Events.com |access-date=January 17, 2011 |archive-date=November 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101093732/http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38738 |url-status=dead }} In September 2010, the group began a 10-day television and web campaign to persuade Democrats to sign onto a repeal of the ACA.{{cite news |title=GOP focus is jobs, not health care; Candidates mostly avoid issue party pledged to hammer |first=Mark |last=Arsenault |url=https://www.lotterypost.com/blogentry/46024 |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=September 11, 2010 |access-date=February 24, 2017}}

In January 2011, the group opened its first state-based operations in two states, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, where the organization focused on mobilizing voters in opposing the ACA.{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/47191_Page3.html |title=Anti-Reform Dems Cool to Repeal Vote |first=Carrie |last=Budoff-Brown |date=January 7, 2011 |newspaper=The News & Observer |access-date=February 24, 2017}}

In August 2013, Heritage Action launched a campaign to defund or restrict the ACA by linking it to votes on the federal government's debt limit.{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/meet-one-of-the-conservative-advocacy-groups-behind-the-government-shutdown-163357339.html|title=Meet one of the conservative advocacy groups behind the GOP's government shutdown strategy|publisher=Yahoo! News|date=October 9, 2013|first=Chris|last=Moody}} In October 2013, as part of this campaign, the organization was instrumental in the government shutdown, which ultimately did not defund or limit the ACA and proved politically unpopular.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/184960-heritage-action-leader-paul-ryans-shutdown-offer-off-target/|title=Heritage Action leader: Paul Ryan's shutdown offer off-target|newspaper=The Hill|date=October 9, 2013|first=Cameron|last=Joseph}}{{cite magazine|url=https://swampland.time.com/2013/09/30/hidden-hand-how-heritage-action-drove-dc-to-shut-down/|title=Hidden Hand: How Heritage Action Drove DC To Shut Down|magazine=Time|date=September 30, 2013|first=Zeke J|last=Miller}} During the shutdown, Heritage Action continued to urge lawmakers not to negotiate a measure to fully fund the government without dismantling the ACA. Heritage Action's strategy in tying the ACA to the shutdown was to make President Obama "feel pain" because of the shutdown, the organization's leader Michael Needham said.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/heritage-actions-shutdown-strategy_762332.html|title=Heritage Action's Shutdown Strategy|magazine=The Weekly Standard|date=October 9, 2013|first=John|last=McCormack|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014000044/https://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/heritage-actions-shutdown-strategy_762332.html|archive-date=October 14, 2013}} U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch, a Republican from Utah, criticized Heritage Action for warning legislators not to vote for the Senate budget compromise during the government shutdown.{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.com/the-daily-rundown/gop-senator-slams-heritage-irrelevant|title=GOP senator: Heritage in danger of not amounting to 'anything anymore'|publisher=MSNBC|date=October 17, 2013|first=Jessica|last=Taylor}}

In October 2013, Heritage Action was labeled a "powerhouse in a new generation of conservative groups"{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/09/heritage-debt-ceiling_n_4070242.html|title=Heritage Action Bails On Debt Ceiling Fight|work=The Huffington Post|date=October 9, 2013|first=Howard|last=Fineman}} by HuffPost and "perhaps now the most influential lobby group among Congressional Republicans" by The New York Times.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/20/us/fiscal-crisis-sounds-the-charge-in-gops-civil-war.html|title=Fiscal Crisis Sounds the Charge in G.O.P.'s 'Civil War'|work=The New York Times|date=October 19, 2013|first1=Jonathan|last1=Martin|first2=Jim|last2=Rutenberg|first3=Jeremy W.|last3=Peters}}{{Cite web|title=Jessica Anderson Named Executive Director of Heritage Action for…|url=https://heritageaction.com/press/jessica-anderson-named-executive-director-of-heritage-action-for-america|access-date=2020-08-17|website=Heritage Action For America|language=en}}

After Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, Michael Needham, then leader of Heritage Action, said, "Donald Trump's a clown. He needs to be out of the race."{{Cite web |last=McMurry |first=Evan |date=July 19, 2015 |title=Fox Panel Dines Out on Trump's Comments: 'Despicable,' 'Clown' |url=https://www.mediaite.com/tv/fox-panel-dines-out-on-trumps-comments-despicable-clown/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829131938/https://www.mediaite.com/tv/fox-panel-dines-out-on-trumps-comments-despicable-clown/ |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |website=Mediaite}}

In May 2018, Timothy Chapman succeeded Needham as executive director, following Needham's departure.https://heritageaction.com/press/heritage-action-names-tim-chapman-executive-director Executive Director{{Cite web|url=https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/4/rubio-announces-mike-needham-as-new-chief-of-staff|title=Rubio Announces Mike Needham as New Chief of Staff|website=U.S. Senator for Florida, Marco Rubio|date=April 17, 2018 }} Chapman previously served as Heritage Action's chief operating officer and as chief of staff to Heritage Foundation President Edwin Feulner. In March 2020, Chapman left the organization.

In 2020, Jessica Anderson, who joined Heritage Action as grassroots director in 2010, began leading the organization. Anderson served for a year in 2017 in the Office of Management and Budget during the Trump administration.{{Cite web|title=Heritage Action Staff|url=https://heritageaction.com/about/staff-1-1|access-date=2020-10-04|website=Heritage Action For America|language=en}} She returned to Heritage Action as vice president in 2018, and was named executive director in 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://heritageaction.com/press/heritage-action-announces-new-vice-president|title=Heritage Action Announces New Vice President|website=Heritage Action For America}} In July 2024, Anderson took a leave of absence in July 2023 and Ryan Walker was named Acting Executive Director,{{Cite web |title=Heritage Action Executive Director Announces Leave of Absence for… |url=https://heritageaction.com/press/heritage-action-executive-director-announces-leave-of-absence-for-full-time-sentinel-action-fund-work-ryan-walker-appointed-acting-executive-director |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=Heritage Action For America |language=en}} serving in that role until Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts was named president of Heritage Action in September 2023.{{Cite web |title=Kevin D. Roberts, PhD |url=https://www.heritage.org/staff/kevin-d-roberts-phd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518002107/https://www.heritage.org/staff/kevin-d-roberts-phd |url-status=unfit |archive-date=May 18, 2023 |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=The Heritage Foundation |language=en}} Walker now serves as executive vice president of Heritage Action,{{Cite web |title=Heritage Action Staff |url=https://heritageaction.com/about/staff-1-1 |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=Heritage Action For America |language=en}} and Roberts serves Heritage Action and The Heritage Foundation in a joint role.

In April 2020, the organization says it conducted grassroots work, including door-to-door issue canvassing in Iowa, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.{{Cite web|title=PoliticsPA|date=April 7, 2020 |url=https://www.politicspa.com/heritage-action-targets-six-western-pa-counties/94091/|access-date=2020-10-05}} Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of these efforts were replaced for a time by phone calls.

In August 2020, Heritage Action launched a pro-police pledge "for citizens, lawmakers and candidates to stand with [the] nation's law enforcement officers".{{Cite web|title=Heritage Action Launches Police Pledge; New Poll Shows 4 out of 5…|url=https://heritageaction.com/press/heritage-action-launches-police-pledge-new-poll-shows-4-out-of-5-swing-state-voters-oppose-defunding-police|access-date=2020-10-05|website=Heritage Action For America|language=en}} Over 100 members of Congress signed the pledge.{{Cite web|last=Bowden|first=John|date=2020-09-14|title=Conservative group Heritage Action launches pro-police billboards in three cities|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/516388-conservative-think-tank-heritage-launches-pro-police-billboards-in-three/|access-date=2020-10-05|website=TheHill|language=en}} The pledge was accompanied by pro-police billboards by the group in New York City, Dallas, and Atlanta.

Following the 2020 presidential election, Heritage Action drafted and lobbied in favor of new election legislation as part of Republican efforts to tighten election laws. In May 2021, in a leaked video of a presentation to donors, Jessica Anderson, the organization's executive director at the time, citing Iowa as an example, saying, "we did it quickly and we did it quietly...Little fanfare. Honestly, nobody even noticed. My team looked at each other and we're like, 'It can't be that easy'."{{cite news |last1=Berman |first1=Ari |last2=Surgey |first2=Nick |title=Leaked Video: Dark Money Group Brags About Writing GOP Voter Suppression Bills Across the Country |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/05/heritage-foundation-dark-money-voter-suppression-laws/ |access-date=May 14, 2021 |publisher=Mother Jones}}

As part of the organization's efforts on tightening election laws, it maintains a database, which includes 1,322 "proven instances of voter fraud," dating back to the mid-1980s,

but includes only one case from the 2020 election. Some of the cases in the database are also fraudulent voter registration incidents, rather than voter fraud.{{cite news |last1=Bump |first1=Philip |title=Group that can't find systemic voter fraud eager to help combat systemic voter fraud |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/05/14/group-that-cant-find-systemic-voter-fraud-eager-help-combat-systemic-voter-fraud/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619122318/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/05/14/group-that-cant-find-systemic-voter-fraud-eager-help-combat-systemic-voter-fraud/|archive-date=19 June 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 14, 2021}}

In 2021, according to an internal Heritage Action document, a "two-year effort" was planned to work with like-minded groups to "produce model legislation for state legislatures to adopt" and hire lobbyists in "crucial states". The same year, Heritage Action published a report in which it listed its objectives as limiting who can vote by mail, preventing ballot collection, banning drop boxes, enacting stricter voter identification laws, restricting early voting, and providing greater access to partisan election observers.{{cite news| title=G.O.P. and Allies Draft 'Best Practices' for Restricting Voting | last1 = Corasaniti | first1 = Nick| last2 = Epstein | first2 = Reid J.| newspaper=The New York Times | orig-date=Updated 7 April 2021|date=23 March 2021 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/23/us/politics/republican-voter-laws.html}}{{cite web | author=The Heritage Foundation | title=The Facts About Election Integrity and the Need for States to Fix Their Election Systems | publisher=The Heritage Foundation | date=1 February 2021 | url=https://www.heritage.org/election-integrity-facts | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323211951/https://www.heritage.org/election-integrity-facts | url-status=unfit | archive-date=March 23, 2021 }}

Heritage Action issues a congressional scorecard, which ranks members of Congress on "votes, co-sponsorships and other legislative activity".{{Cite web|title=Dave Brat: Meet the Candidate Who Beat Eric Cantor|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dave-brat-meet-candidate-beat-eric-cantor/story?id=24081628|access-date=2020-10-05|website=ABC News|language=en}} It also has established a grassroots presence outside of Washington, D.C., with professional grassroots coordinators who recruit and train conservative "Sentinel" activists.{{Cite web|last=Baigert|first=Laura|date=2017-06-22|title=Heritage Action Sentinels, An Active Force To Be Reckoned With in Middle Tennessee, Expanding|url=https://tennesseestar.com/2017/06/22/heritage-action-sentinels-an-active-force-to-be-reckoned-with-in-middle-tennessee-expanding/|access-date=2020-10-05|website=Tennessee Star|language=en-US}}

As of 2022, Heritage Action had annual revenue of $20.9 million, according to its filing with the Internal Revenue Service, reported by ProPublica.[https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/272244700 Heritage Action], ProPublica

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• {{Ballotpedia|Heritage_Action_for_America|Heritage Action for America}}

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Category:501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations

Category:2010 establishments in the United States

Category:Conservative organizations in the United States

Category:Organizations established in 2010

Category:Political advocacy groups in the United States

Category:The Heritage Foundation