"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.
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SEE ALSO:

"Lights Out For GOP Energy Agenda?" (Politico)
[3]
"House GOP Fails To Repeal Light Bulb Efficiency Requirement" (Los Angeles Times) [4]

"G.O.P. Bid to Void Light Bulb Law Fails" (New York Times) [5]

"Light Bulb Act: House Republicans Poised To Repeal Incandescent Light Bulb Restrictions" (Huffington Post) [6]