The analysts probably had no idea a higher order question was being asked. That's because all analysts in any administrative or regulatory body ALWAYS specialize in what they do best ~ else they could never get all the work done. Remember, most agency administrative dollars are wasted on highr level people or supernumeraries who have absolutely nothing to do with actual case work. Each one of these analysts will be matched pound for pound with a legal team with which they connect only rarely, and then only on the lawyer's schedule ~ they, the lawyers being very busy with coffee breaks.
Did I tell you the old joke about a dog named coffee break? Funny to gub'mnt employees if not taxpayers ~ but every bit of it was true! (chortles to self) SEE; >http://www.deeplake.com/jokes/animal8.shtml,p>The point being that the fellows doing the cases are hard pressed all the time and are trying to do their work ~ not conspire against the public. That's for the higher ups and their friends.
Regarding using a committee to look into this is that will not result in the right questions being asked ~ hence the Inspector General's report ~ it's all there, but the cases themselves are not open to public review ~ that being against the law ~ this is IRS and they're outside the FOIA rules!
The leftwingtards are as upset as anyone at this particular shenanigan ~ after all, if it's OK to do this to Conservatives it's OK to do it to Leftwingtards!
Nobody wants IRS involved in politics.
Sadly, too true... :-(