WASHINGTON — Congress is increasingly putting the pressure on General Motors and the governments auto safety agency over a delayed recall of small cars.

Tuesday, Democratic Sens. Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut proposed requiring automakers to make information on accident deaths more accessible to consumers. Last month, GM recalled 1.6 million small cars with a defective ignition switch that is linked to at least 31 accidents and 12 deaths.

On Monday, Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., wrote a letter asking the acting head of the safety agency to explain why the cars werent investigated.

Two congressional committees are investigating the recall delay. GM has acknowledged it took too long to notify owners of the ignition switch problem. The safety agency reviewed the cars twice but declined to launch an investigation.