Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I strongly oppose this damaging rider which would block the Department of Energy from implementing or enforcing commonsense energy efficiency standards for light bulbs. I have the highest respect for Dr. Burgess, but not on this particular topic. This rider was a bad idea when it was first offered 5 years ago, and it is even more unsupportable now. Every claim made by proponents of this rider has been proven wrong. Dr. Burgess told us that the energy efficiency standards would ban incandescent light bulbs. That is simply false. You can go to any store today and see shelves of modern, energy-efficient, incandescent light bulbs that meet the standard. I have bought them myself. They are the same as the old bulbs except that they last longer, they use less electricity, and they save consumers money. We have heard for years that the energy efficiency standards restrict consumer choice. But if you have shopped for light bulbs lately, you know that simply isn't true. Modern incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulbs, 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 standards 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.…”