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Dear Mr. Secretary:

As part of the Oversight Committee's ongoing oversight of Iraq contract management, I am writing to request documents relating to the Department of Defense's management of contracts for maintenance of electrical systems in facilities occupied by military and contractor personnel in Iraq. This issue was brought to my attention by Representative Jason Altmire, who requested that the Committee initiate an investigation into the death by accidental electrocution of Staff Sergeant Ryan D. Maseth, a Special Forces soldier from Pennsylvania.

While the Fed is aggressively working to stabilize the financial markets, the President said he would wait to see 'if there needs to be further action.' Democrats believe that the time is now to build on the Fed's efforts, by taking action to ease the economic burdens facing everyday Americans, especially those threatened by foreclosure, unemployment and rising energy and health care costs.

I am hopeful that the President will work with Congress to help families who are struggling to make ends meet.

In contrast to the President, we believe that further decisive action is needed now. We must consider extending unemployment benefits, providing food stamp assistance, and providing targeted fiscal relief to states to avoid cuts to critical services. We must also do more to help families avoid foreclosure, which is why I am pleased that Chairman Barney Frank is leading this effort in the House.

I urge the Administration to carefully consider these proposals now before Congress and to again work with Democrats to restore consumer and market confidence and support hardworking American families.