Fresh off passing one of the most expensive bills in history, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is ordering her committee chairmen to quickly come up with plans for fiscal responsibility hearings.

In a letter sent to chairmen — and released to the media — Pelosi told them to get back to her on scheduling hearings on overseeing spending in their jurisdiction by March 13.

“As our nation continues to confront severe budget deficits as a result of unsound economic policy and lax regulation over the last eight years, it is essential that, as we advance our priorities, House Committees also conduct rigorous oversight of all aspects of federal spending and government operations to help achieve deficit reduction and long term fiscal responsibility,” Pelosi wrote.

The letter is somewhat redundant because chairmen were already told they have to come up with such schedules to comply with a House rules change last month authored by Blue Dog Rep. John Tanner (D-Tenn.).

But it comes as Republicans attempt to paint Democrats as wasteful spenders after enactment of the $787 billion stimulus package.