House fails to turn off new standards for light bulbs

7/12/2011
ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Republicans who take a dim view of new light bulb standards failed to repeal them in a debate that focused on whether the government is once again exerting too much control over people's lives.

The House voted 233-193 for legislation that would eliminate energy-efficiency standards that the old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs do not meet. The vote fell short under a procedure in which a two-thirds majority was needed for passage.

Some Republicans, in addition to saying that Americans shouldn't have to buy the more expensive newer models, portrayed the light bulb issue as another intrusion of big government at the expense of personal freedoms.

The White House says the new energy-saving bulbs will, over the long run, save households billions of dollars in energy costs.