Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I offer a commonsense, cost-effective, environmentally friendly approach to lighting the Capitol Complex. The amendment states that no funds in the Legislative Branch appropriations bill may be used to buy, acquire, install, or use any compact fluorescent lamp, also known more commonly as a CFL. I'm offering this amendment for several reasons: One, there are no compact fluorescent lamps manufactured in the United States. This is a very important point. The CFLs that provide light for this Chamber and the Capitol Complex are all foreign-made. Two, CFLs contain mercury, a known neurotoxin which affects motor and cognitive skills by impairing the brain. If a CFL, or ``mercury bomb,'' as some have called them, breaks, the mercury vapor is released, placing those nearby at risk of inhaling the vapors and absorbing mercury through the lungs. The EPA has set up guidelines for the cleanup of broken CFL bulbs that includes evacuating the room immediately and venting it for at least 10 minutes. Even short-term exposure can potentially cause ``memory disturbances, sleep disorders, anger, fatigue, and/or hand tremors,'' according to recent studies. Three, since Congress forced the use of foreign-made CFLs 4 years ago, American lighting manufacturers have made substantial investments in technology and have retooled their factories to make new LED and incandescent bulbs which meet the energy efficiency standards Congress mandated.…”