Just the mere mention of wrongdoing by the Internal Revenue Service always has a different ring about it in Washington, D.C., and last Friday's revelation that the IRS had apologized for wrongly targeting more conservative groups grew steadily over the weekend, as new reports indicated groups that focused on the growth of government had also come under scrutiny.
"The IRS’s political targeting of select groups based on their political leanings is reprehensible, and it should trouble every American to know that a federal government agency could abuse its power so outrageously," said Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).
"It is unconscionable that in the United States of America, groups were unfairly targeted by a government agency for exercising their First Amendment rights," said Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA).
Last week, a source of mine inside the Internal Revenue Service had told me to expect some fireworks in coming days from internal investigators at the IRS on several different issues.
All that person could tell me was that one report had "to do with the Tea Party," and that it had been described as being "very bad."
It was a good tip.
To many on the GOP side of the ball, the story seemed only to get worse over the weekend, as reports indicated the first inklings of trouble had been seen in 2010, not in 2012 - and that groups that zeroed in on the growth in government spending even came in for extra scrutiny as they sought tax-exempt status for their work.
"This unacceptable conduct is reminiscent of earlier times when the IRS was used to target political enemies," said Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL), who probably wishes his hearing with the acting IRS Commissioner was on the schedule for this week, instead of taking place a few weeks ago.
Democrats in Congress were, for the most part, silent on the matter, though some raised the question of whether the IRS was being punished for simply doing its job, and going through applications for tax-exempt status from groups that might seem to be doing a lot of political activity.
But that argument wasn't going anywhere on the Republicans side of the aisle.
"The IRS cannot target or intimidate any individual or organization based on their political beliefs," said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA).
"The House will investigate," he added.
While the Benghazi probe certainly has the chance to become even more high-profile - depending on what Republicans find in coming weeks - I would almost argue that this IRS story has a better chance to becoming part of the political narrative in coming months, especially as Republicans talk about reforming the tax code, and repealing the Obama health law, which uses IRS enforcement to knock those who don't buy health insurance.
So, don't be surprised if you hear some IRS references later this week, when the House votes again to repeal the Obama health reforms.
And don't be surprised if you see a number of hearings.
"The Committee on Ways and Means will thoroughly investigate this matter and will soon hold a hearing to get to the bottom of this situation," said panel Chairman, Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI).
"We will hold the IRS accountable for its actions," Camp added.
