[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 120-121]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TURN OUT THE LIGHTS, THE PARTY'S OVER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Poe) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is a new year. As the clock struck 
midnight, Americans throughout the fruited plain celebrated the end of 
2013 and the start of a new year.
  January 1--out with the old and in with the new--light bulb, so 
sayeth Uncle Sam. That is right: ``turn out the lights, the party's 
over'' for the incandescent light bulb.
  I went to H-E-B last week in Texas and the shelves were bare. Only 
curly fluorescent light bulbs to be found. That is because the 
government has now banned 75-, 100-, 60-, and 40-watt light bulbs.
  Edison's light bulb has gone from the endangered species list to near 
extinction. Some incandescent light bulbs will be allowed, but only if 
they meet new government standards. What was once the symbol for 
American innovation is now banned by the almighty government. Isn't 
that ironic?
  Why? Because it is not energy efficient, so sayeth the government. 
The government certainly doesn't want Americans to have a choice with 
what

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light bulbs they purchase because the government knows best.
  The new fluorescent curly light bulbs, also called CFLs, contain 
mercury and also are more expensive. Mr. Speaker, I thought mercury was 
bad for us.
  Anyway, nothing gets easier when you use these light bulbs. Do you 
need to dispose of one of these curly light bulbs? Don't even think 
about throwing it in the trash without reading the instructions in the 
box. Don't throw them in the wastebasket. You are supposed to take them 
to a local recycling center. Yeah, right.
  If a person decides to take the risk and throw the light bulb out at 
home, listen closely, because, of course, it is more complicated. The 
light bulb should be sealed in two plastic bags and then placed in the 
trash outdoors so as not to pollute landfills if it breaks.
  There are more regulations. If a CFL is dropped, well, disaster 
strikes, in my opinion. You can't just pick up the pieces and throw 
them away. The EPA has generously told us in more detailed instructions 
what we do if one is broken: ``Have people and pets leave the room, and 
don't let anyone walk through the area.''
  So, Mr. Speaker, if I accidentally drop this light bulb here on the 
House floor and it breaks, does that mean we have to evacuate the House 
floor? According to the EPA, at least we should do that.
  I give you more: ``Open a window''--don't have any in here--``and 
leave the room for 15 minutes or more. Shut off the central heating and 
air-conditioning system. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder 
using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with a 
metal lid.'' Mr. Speaker, I hope you have some of those old mason jars 
around here.
  There is more. The EPA says: ``Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to 
pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Wipe the area 
clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipes and place them in 
the glass jar or plastic bag. Do not use a vacuum or broom.'' Next 
thing you know, we are going to need a HAZMAT crew to come in to 
someone's home if they accidentally drop a light bulb.
  There is a lot more: ``These light bulbs may cause interference to 
radios, televisions, wireless telephones and remote controls.'' Okay, I 
will be sure to turn off the lights tonight when I watch ``Duck 
Dynasty.'' I don't want to miss it because I have these curly light 
bulbs.
  I forgot to mention--guess where these little spiral light bulbs are 
made. China. Now isn't that lovely?
  The power of choice has been taken away from the American people, 
even the choice of a light bulb, because government is controlling our 
lives and it knows better. The Federal Government should not have the 
authority to force Americans to buy anything, whether it is health 
care, a box of donuts, or even CFL light bulbs.
  As Willie Nelson has said: ``Turn out the lights, the party's over. 
They say that all good things must end. Turn out the lights, the 
party's over'' for at least Thomas Edison's light bulb.
  May it rest in peace, Mr. Speaker.
  And that's just the way it is.

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