Harry Targ
Heritage Action for America is a unique combination of
top-notch conservative policy analysis, a widely respected
government relations team and dedicated grassroots
activists that advance conservative policy.
…As a 501(c)(4) organization, Heritage Action for America allows
unprecedented coordination and communication with concerned citizens who want
to be part of their national dialogue. We speak directly to the American people
and help them break through the establishment in Washington. (from Heritage Action for America website).
According to the Internal Revenue Code
organizations may apply and be eligible for tax exempt status under Section 501
(c) (4) if they engage primarily in “social welfare activities.” Contributors
to 501 (c) (4) organizations need not disclose their names.
In a recent website update on
legislative issues being debated in the House of Representatives, Heritage
Action for America, a 501 (c) (4) advocated the repeal of the Affordable Care
Act; endorsed the Full Faith and Credit Act, which would prioritize debt
payment before financing federal spending; and supported legislation, the
Preventing Greater Uncertainty in Labor-Management Relations Act, suspending
the National Labor Relations Board from acting until such time as the Senate
approves appointments to the Board.
Indiana Congressman Todd Rokita (4th
Congressional District) wrote his constituents on May 17, 2013 that “…the IRS
had specifically targeted legally-established non-profit conservative groups by
singling them out for extra scrutiny when they applied for tax-exempt
status.” Heritage Action for America assigned
Rokita a grade of 79 (out of 100) for his legislative record in the last
session of Congress, not far behind long-time right-winger Dan Burton and new
Indiana governor Mike Pence. Conservative former Democratic Congressman, now
Senator, Joe Donnelly received a score of 23.
The principle of granting tax
exemptions for groups that engage in social welfare was introduced in the
Revenue Act of 1913 and revised in the tax code of the 1950s. Once groups are
declared eligible, such as the Heritage Foundation’s Heritage Action for America, donors can
contribute anonymously.
Meanwhile the organizations so approved can advertise on television, radio, and
the print media against programs advocated by those with different political
orientations. Ironically groups like Heritage Action for America define their political
advocacy for tax purposes as social welfare. And, most importantly, organizations
supporting the candidacy of right-wing Republicans such as Todd Rokita are
receiving tax exemptions.
In short, Rokita has a high Heritage
Action for America favorability score for opposing affordable health care for
most Americans; federal programs for childhood nutrition, education, and
emergency health services for the elderly; and government protection for worker
rights.
If the Internal Revenue Service is to
be criticized, the attacks should be leveled at the government’s inadequate
scrutiny of political lobbying groups who are granted tax exempt status
contrary to the intention of the law. Those of us who are concerned about the
undue intrusion of big money in politics should be working to insist that the
tax code be applied as it was intended so that politicians like Rokita cannot
get away with railing against “big government” while they benefit from how it
has been applied to them.
