"Republican Bill To Ban Energy-Saving Lightbulbs Fades"

"A Republican campaign to defend America against a sweeping assault on personal freedoms – or energy-saving lightbulbs as they are more commonly known – went down in defeat on Tuesday night.

The result is a rejection of one of the great causes of the conservative Tea Party movement: the repeal of a 2007 law promoting environmentally efficient lighting.

Presidential contender Michele Bachmann and talk show hosts Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck had dismissed the legislation as an assault on personal freedom.

In a speech in New Orleans last month Bachmann declared: 'President Bachmann will allow you to buy any lightbulb you want.'

But Tuesday night's vote in the House of Representatives failed to muster the two-thirds majority needed under special rules invoked by Republicans to fasttrack the repeal."

Suzanne Goldenberg reports for the Guardian July 13, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Lights Out For GOP Energy Agenda?" (Politico)

"House GOP Fails To Repeal Light Bulb Efficiency Requirement" (Los Angeles Times)

"G.O.P. Bid to Void Light Bulb Law Fails" (New York Times)

"Light Bulb Act: House Republicans Poised To Repeal Incandescent Light Bulb Restrictions" (Huffington Post)