Congress says medical certification is in poor shape.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration was again in Congress’ hot seat July 24, this time for oversight of commercial drivers’ health and fitness to drive.

U.S. Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, charged the agency with weak supervision of drivers’ medical qualifications and what he repeatedly referred to as the FMCSA’s “lack of will” to complete recommended safety improvements.

He also chastised Administrator John Hill for not appearing at the hearing, leaving Rose McMurray, FMCSA assistant administrator and chief medical officer, as the agency’s sole representative.

The Democrat-controlled Congress has been sharply critical of President Bush’s agency this year, including a contentious hearing on its cross-border trucking pilot program and a Senate appropriations report that was harsh on agency deficiencies.

The medical-certification process for commercial drivers “is no more robust or effective than it was nearly 10 years ago,” Oberstar said. U.S. Rep. Pete DeFazio, D-Ore., called it “a totally failed system.”