House quickly approves light bulb language by voice vote

The House on Friday morning quickly approved language that would prohibit the use of funds in a 2012 spending bill from being used to implement federal light bulb standards.

The House on Thursday night took up an amendment from Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) to defund those standards. After what seemed like House acceptance of the amendment by voice vote, Burgess asked for a recorded vote.

But in a quick procedural move Friday morning, the House took up the amendment de novo — from the beginning — and it was quickly approved by voice vote.

Burgess's language amends the 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations Act, and denies funding for the implementation of the 2007 law that sets the bulb standards. Republicans have charged that those standards would effectively ban the 100-watt incandescent bulb.

Earlier in the week, the House rejected a Republican bill to repeal portions of the 2007 law dealing with light bulb standards. That bill won simple majority (233-193), but failed in the House because it was brought up under rules that require a two-thirds majority.