Upton provides distance from GOP-targeted light-bulb ban

By Administrator - 09/23/10 03:47 PM ET

Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) – a leading candidate for the top Republican  slot on the House energy panel next Congress – appears to be  distancing himself from language he helped orchestrate in 2007 banning  incandescent light bulbs that fellow panel Republicans have recently  lambasted.  

Upton and Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) have been widely credited with  leading an effort to strike a deal in 2007 energy legislation that  bans the 100-watt incandescent bulb by 2012, phases out others by 2014  and requires that bulbs be at least three times as efficient as  today’s, by 2020.  

But asked about the language Thursday, the Michigan Republican  emphasized the involvement of others.   “It was Jane Harman’s bill with [former Rep.] Denny Hastert [R-Ill.] and others; [it] passed the committee by voice vote,” Upton told The  Hill.  

On whether he still stood by the language, he said, “I’m not part of  the effort to take it down, if that’s your question.”   Prodded further, Upton said, “I’m not going to get in the box. I’m not  going to go there.”  

Upton and Harman have also co-sponsored follow-up bills, including one  in May to establish new efficiency standards for outdoor light  fixtures.  

Energy and Commerce ranking member Joe Barton (R-Texas) and fellow  panel Republicans Michael Burgess of Texas and Marsha Blackburn of  Tennessee last week introduced a bill that would repeal the deal Upton  and Harman struck.

  Barton – who is hoping to obtain a waiver from House Republican term  limits and serve another Congress as lead Republican on the panel – told Fox News Sept. 20 that the language is “indicative of the  overreach that the Obama administration, [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi [D-Calif.], and [Senate] Majority Leader [Harry] Reid [D-Nev.] have  put on the American people.” He added, “They’re mandating our behavior  in health care, they’re mandating in this case in energy, they don’t  want the American people to have choice, and … they basically don’t  trust the public.”  

The 2007 energy bill did come under Democratic leadership in Congress,  though it was signed into law by President George W. Bush.   Both Barton and Upton voted against the bill itself.

As far as the race for the top Republican spot on the panel, Upton  said he hopes to get it if Barton does not get the term-limit waiver.

  “The first step is whether or not Joe gets the waiver,” he said. “I’ve  made the point that if Joe does not get the waiver, I want to be his  successor on the Republican side.”  

Asked whether Barton should get a waiver, Upton said, “That's not for  me to decide. I'm not a member of the steering committee. That’s a  decision they’re going to make.”  

Upton declined to detail a legislative agenda for next year if  Republicans take over control of the House.   “Our first mission is to pick up the 40 seats to get into the  majority,” he said. “My goal is Nov. 2. Ask me after Nov. 2.”