Heritage Action

Heritage Action for America, more commonly known simply as Heritage Action, 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. The organization has state operations in North Carolina and Pennsylvania and is a sister organization of the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation. Heritage Action has been called a "powerhouse in a new generation of conservative groups" and "perhaps now the most influential lobby group among Congressional Republicans." It is led by chief executive Michael A. Needham.

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 said it would not be involved in election campaigns. Heritage Action's goal was to expand the political reach of The Heritage Foundation and advance the policies recommended by its researchers.

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.

Officials at The Heritage Foundation began engaging in political advocacy following the March 2010 passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. As a 501(c)3 organization, the think tank cannot engage in direct lobbying, so it created Heritage Action to serve as its lobbying and advocacy arm.

Heritage Action began with a staff of ten, including chief executive officer Michael A. Needham and chief operating officer Timothy J. Chapman.