The House congressional oversight and investigations committee praised the Food and Drug Administration today and then ripped it apart saying the agency is finally scrambling to do what lawmakers wanted to save high-ranking jobs before the Bush Administration flees.

Full Committee Chairman Rep. John Dingell and Rep. Bart Stupak today issued a statement gushing over the FDA taking long-awaited actions that would protect Americans from tainted food, drugs and drug ingredients.

But the lawmakers quickly added that the steps were "far from sufficient" and they will "swiftly move legislation to implement badly-needed reforms at FDA."

It will be fascinating to see if their zeal remains with a member of their own party is sitting in the White House.

Dingell said the committee has found that "FDA not only failed in its basic mission, but refused to admit its failures and take steps to protect Americans from unsafe food and drugs."

The senior Michigan democrat added: "Now, the policy chieftains at FDA are scrambling to convince the new Administration that they are willing to do what they have failed to do for the past eight years."

The statement said that during the past three weeks, FDA has taken enforcement actions that Dingell, Stupak have urged over the last two years.

Here is a link to more information of the committee's concerns.