Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) is no stranger to fights with party leadership. And he’s not holding back in his criticism of the so-called “Plan B” that’s being developed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).

“It seems to be a cover-up,” DeMint said this afternoon in an exclusive interview with Heritage. “It’s like leaving the door to the federal vault open and looking the other way and saying we had nothing to do with the robbery.”

He blamed President Obama for politicizing the debt-limit debate rather than seeking a consensus.

“I’m convinced the president has not been negotiating in good faith. He’s got a bad economy. His policies have made it worse. And he’s hoping this debt-limit debate will allow him to blame Republicans.”

DeMint, a strong advocate for the Cut, Cap and Balance plan, said the McConnell-Reid proposal falls short in making the structural reforms necessary to slow Washington’s reckless spending.

“If we don’t have any permanent structural reform — and that’s what the Balanced Budget Amendment would do — we’re going to keep spending until we bankrupt the country,” DeMint said.

He’s rallying other senators to his cause while also recognizing that the fate of any plan rests with the Republican-controlled House. DeMint said he ultimately wants to hold Washington accountable for raising the debt limit, and any plan that falls short is insufficient.

After our interview, DeMint spoke at The Bloggers Briefing about his new book, “The Great American Awakening: Two Years That Changed America, Washington, and Me.”

The interview runs about 4 minutes. Hosted by Rob Bluey and produced by Brandon Stewart, with help from Hannah Sternberg.

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