Heritage Head DeMint Confronted by Lawmakers Over Voting Ratings

The conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation, is under fire from some Republican lawmakers who say that the voting-record rating system used by the nonprofit's political arm is unfair, Politico reports.

The closed-door meeting between the House Republican Study Committee, a caucus formed to "advance a conservative social and economic agenda" and Jim DeMint, Heritage Foundation president, was described as "heated," Politico said.

Among those caucus members speaking out were Georgia Rep. Austin Scott, who asked specifically how Heritage arrives at its scores on legislation and rates lawmakers, Politico said.

Others questioning DeMint and asking about the separation between Heritage Foundation and its political wing, Heritage Action, were North Carolina Reps. Robert Pittenger and Virginia Foxx, and California Rep. Tom McClintock, who reportedly defended the nonprofit.

 Politico, citing sources who attended the meeting, said: "DeMint responded that there was a clear separation between Heritage and Heritage Action. He also said that he looks forward to working together moving forward."

Heritage and the House conservatives have been at odds over the past year over several domestic reform issues, including the farm bill, healthcare, education and energy, Politico said. It noted ongoing divisions among some House conservatives who have now left the RSC to form a separate caucus.

DeMint, a powerful conservative leader on the Hill, left Congress to take over at Heritage in 2013 from outgoing president Edwin J. Feulner.

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