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| Congress has nothing better to do than to jack with light bulbs? No wonder the economy is going to hell in a hand basket.It's our choice what type of light bulb we want to use. Congress is advocating that all Americans must use a certain light bulb. Get a grip and concerntrate on employment, reducing the debt and curb spending.be ### |
The House of Representatives on
Tuesday night voted 233 to 193 to repeal the ban on standard incandescent light
bulbs. But the bill was being considered under a special, fast-track procedure
that required a two-thirds majority of 290. So the bill failed. That’s the bad
news.
The good news is that we have
another chance tomorrow. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) is going to offer a
similar amendment to another bill that is being debated on the House floor now.
A vote is likely to occur tomorrow. A simple majority is all that’s needed, and
our cause is starting to get more attention. Check out a segment
on NBC Nightly News which included a humorous video we produced on the ban. The
full video is here
on YouTube.
The Bulb Act will repeal a section
of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 which would ban the
traditional incandescent light bulb, beginning in January of 2012, with the 100
watt bulb. Currently, we are in what is known as the “phase-out” period of
Thomas Edison’s bulb, to be completed in 2014, as the government forces us to
purchase newer model incandescent bulbs that reportedly save energy but will
cost about $1 more than the traditional models. The compact fluorescent light
bulbs that the government has promoted
contain toxic mercury and must be discarded as a special “hazardous” waste
product.
The Bulb Act was introduced by
Representatives Joe Barton (R-TX), Michael Burgess (R-TX), and Marsha Blackburn
(R-TN). It is significant legislation not only because of its emphasis on the
degree to which the federal government has overreached into the everyday lives
of Americans, but also because it marks a concrete conservative shift
in House Republicans. The Energy Independence and Security Act was signed into
law by President George W. Bush and supported widely by both Republicans and
Democrats in the House.
But don’t get too excited about
getting back your light bulb freedom yet. The House will need a special
two-thirds majority to pass the repeal and, of course, most Democrats will
vote against it. If it fails, House Republicans may take up the bill again
under the regular rule which would require a simple majority. However, even
with passage in the House, the repeal will likely not pass the Senate at this
juncture.
Regarding
the Republican legislation, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu said,
“We are taking away a choice that continues to let people waste their own
money.”
Sounds like a classic liberalism if
I ever heard one.
Source:
Freedom Action and Jim
