A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate condemning the targeting of Tea Party groups by the Internal Revenue Service and calling for an investigation.

Referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3960)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 4, 2013

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) engaged in discriminatory behavior, (2) Congress should use existing authority to investigate potential criminal wrongdoing by individuals who authorized or were involved in targeting people based on their political views and to determine if other entities were involved in or were aware of the discrimination and did not take action to stop the actions of the IRS, and (3) President Obama should terminate the employment of individuals responsible for targeting and willfully discriminating against Tea Party groups and other conservative groups.

Condemns the actions of all individuals and entities involved in the infringement of the First Amendment rights of members of the Tea Party and other affected groups.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY] · R–KY

Committees

Finance Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Jun 4, 2013
Referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3960)
Jun 4, 2013
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jun 4, 2013 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Res.159 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.159, 113th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate condemning the targeting of Tea Party groups by the Internal Revenue Service and calling for an investigation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-resolution/159

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2013-06-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/sres159/BILLS-113sres159is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:12:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.Res.159 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.Res.159 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.159, 113th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate condemning the targeting of Tea Party groups by the Internal Revenue Service and calling for an investigation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-resolution/159

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2013-06-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/sres159/BILLS-113sres159is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:12:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.159 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.Res.159 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.159, 113th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate condemning the targeting of Tea Party groups by the Internal Revenue Service and calling for an investigation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-resolution/159

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2013-06-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/sres159/BILLS-113sres159is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:12:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.159 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.Res.159 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.159, 113th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate condemning the targeting of Tea Party groups by the Internal Revenue Service and calling for an investigation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-resolution/159

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2013-06-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/sres159/BILLS-113sres159is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:12:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.159 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.