WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today wrote to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke once again requesting information about stimulus funding and salaries paid to employees at the department.

This is the second time Barton has officially sought the information. In March, Barton asked Locke to provide data related to increases in department employees, as well as the potential use of funding from the stimulus to augment already high federal salaries.

“Please explain why the department has not provided this information in response to my request,” Barton wrote. “The lack of response from the department undercuts President Obama’s promise of a transparent administration, and reflects poorly on your management, particularly since we have received detailed responses from every other federal department and agency within the committee’s jurisdiction.”

Barton has asked for an immediate response.
 
A copy of the letter can be found here.