But Republicans caution that the congressional inquiry — happening in both chambers, and with input from both parties — is still in its early stages, with the IRS already having said that it’s gathered the equivalent of 64 million pages worth of documents.

“We knew that there was going to be a time when we would not put any new information out there,” said Rep. Charles Boustany (R-La.), who heads the Ways and Means investigations subcommittee. “I wouldn’t even describe it as a lull in the process. I would just say that without new information to reveal out to the media, it seems quiet.”…

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who has been central to the IRS probe, argued Friday that the increased attention on the NSA hammers home the same message as the IRS controversy — that the government is too large and intrusive, and should be curtailed.

“All of these issues are important and they all tie together,” he said. “It’s all part of the same thing: look what your government is doing to your civil rights.”