Yesterday, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) and Rep. David Obey (D-WI) -- who are the ranking members on the Senate and House Appropriations Committees -- sent a letter to OMB Director Joshua B. Bolten sharing their thoughts on the type of detail they would like to see reported to them for oversite purposes of the current government relief spending. The letter requests that the OMB provide the Appropriations Committees with information regarding all spending, so the committee members "can determine whether taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely and efficiently." Specifically, the letter requests:

Detailed information on every obligation, allocation, or expenditure that totals more than $50 million, broken down in no less than $50 million increments. The detailed information should include: the purpose; whether the work will be performed by the government or a contractor; and, if the work is performed by a contractor, the name of the contractor, the type of contract let (fixed-price, cost-plus), and whether the contract was sole-source, full and open competition, or limited competition;

The amount of credit card purchases by agency/mission assignment;

Weekly obligations, allocations, and expenditures by agency and state, and by purpose/mission assignment (for example, public assistance, debris removal, etc.);

Weekly status of the disaster relief fund, including unexpended balance, unobligated balance and unallocated balance; and

Information on any waivers granted.