Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the very distinguished Member's amendment--Dr. Burgess--and simply say that his amendment would prohibit the Department of Energy from promulgating light bulb efficiency standards. It is a common misunderstanding that there is some type of ban on the incandescent light bulb that effectively requires people to have the limited choice of only a compact fluorescent bulb. This is simply not true. Regulations require only that bulbs be more efficient. So this debate really isn't about choice--or energy efficiency for that matter. It's about endangering American jobs, specifically American manufacturing jobs. Given that American manufacturers have committed to following the law regardless of whether or not it is enforced, the only benefit of this ill-informed rider is to allow foreign manufacturers who may not feel a similar obligation to import noncompliant light bulbs that will not only harm the investments made by U.S. companies, but place at risk the U.S. manufacturing jobs associated with making compliant bulbs. Further, it is the equivalent of a $100 tax on every American family--that's $16 billion across our Nation--through increased energy costs. The performance standards for light bulbs were established in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. At that time, the bill enjoyed strong bipartisan support of both Republicans and Democrats.…”