IRS targeted more than tea party groups, document shows

Washington (CNN) -- The Internal Revenue Service targeted other groups focused on government spending and the federal debt that were seeking tax-exempt status, in addition to tea party organizations, documents set to be released this week by the agency's watchdog show.

The IRS also applied extra scrutiny to applicants with statements that "criticize how the country is run" or that sought to educate the public on how to "make America a better place to live" -- designations that would have included conservative political groups looking to apply for 501(c)(4) status.

Those disclosures are included in the appendix of an inspector general's report obtained by CNN that is set to be released publicly this week, and that has caused widespread anger among Republican lawmakers and activists who have portrayed the federal government as unfairly targeting political rivals.

On Sunday, lawmakers blasted the IRS for its scheme, which was described by Sen. Susan Collins as a "truly outrageous" breach of public trust.

"It contributes to the profound distrust that the American people have in government," the Maine Republican said on CNN's "State of the Union," adding that President Barack Obama should offer a public condemnation of the IRS' practices.

Obama spokesman Jay Carney said Saturday the president believes that the government should be staffed with "the very best public servants with the highest levels of integrity" and that "based on recent media reports, (the president) is concerned that the conduct of a small number of Internal Revenue Service employees may have fallen short of that standard."

That doesn't go far enough for Collins, who said "the president needs to make crystal clear that this is totally unacceptable in America."

Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, called for a full investigation of the IRS' practices, something Republicans and Democrats have said is necessary after learning of the conservative targeting.

"I don't care if you're a conservative, a liberal, a Democrat or a Republican, this should send a chill up your spine," the Michigan Republican said on "Fox News Sunday."

A congressional investigation would probe who knew what and when, Rep. Darrell Issa told CNN on Sunday. Issa chairs the House Committee on Oversight. Full Story Here