Political Quotes

“I oppose this rider, which would block the Department of Energy from implementing or enforcing commonsense energy efficiency standards for lightbulbs. This rider was a bad idea 3 years ago when it was first offered, and it is even more unsupportable today. Every claim made by proponents of this rider has been proven wrong. Mr. Burgess told us that the energy efficiency standards would ban incandescent lightbulbs. That has been simply false. You can go to the store today and see shelves of modern energy-efficient incandescent lightbulbs that meet the standard. They are the same as the old bulbs, except that they last longer, use less electricity, and save consumers money. We have heard for years that the energy efficiency standards restrict consumer choice. We even heard it again a minute ago. Well, if you have shopped for lightbulbs lately, you know this isn't true. Modern incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lightbulbs, and LEDs of every shape, size, and color are now available. Consumers have never had more choice. The efficiency standards spurred innovation that dramatically expanded options for consumers. Critics of the efficiency standard claimed that they would cost consumers money. In fact, the opposite is true. When the standards are in full effect, the average American family will save about $100 every year. That is $13 billion in savings nationwide every year. But this rider threatens those savings.…”