Letter to Chairman Upton and Chairman Whitfield

Letter

Today, Democratic Members of the Energy and Commerce Committee sent a letter to Chairmen Upton and Whitfield objecting to the placement of H.R. 2417 on the suspension calendar next week. Members requested that the Committee proceed with regular order on the legislation that would repeal provisions in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 relating to light bulbs.

July 8, 2011

The Honorable Fred Upton
Chairman
Committee on Energy and Commerce
U.S. House of Representatives
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Ed Whitfield
Chairman
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
U.S. House of Representatives
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Upton and Chairman Whitfield:

We are writing to object to placing H.R. 2417, which would repeal provisions in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 relating to light bulbs, on the suspension calendar next week. If you would like the House to act upon this legislation, we request that the Committee proceed with regular order on the legislation.

In 2007, this Committee adopted standards to make incandescent light bulbs more efficient on a bipartisan voice vote, and members from both sides of the aisle spoke in favor. Legislation to repeal these provisions should be thoroughly examined by the Committee prior to consideration by the House.

H.R. 2417 was introduced earlier this week on July 6, 2011. Obviously, the Committee has not had the opportunity to hold hearings on the legislation. Moreover, the Committee has not held any hearing -- legislative or oversight -- on the subject matter of the legislation.

We urge you to continue the Committee on Energy and Commerce's long history of open debate by adhering to the tenets of regular order.

Thank you for your consideration of our request.

Henry A. Waxman
Bobby L. Rush
John D. Dingell
Edward J. Markey
Edolphus Towns
Frank Pallone, Jr.
Anna G. Eshoo
Eliot L. Engel
Gene Green
Diana DeGette
Lois Capps
Michael F. Doyle
Jan D. Schakowsky
Charles A. Gonzalez
Jay Inslee
Tammy Baldwin
G.K. Butterfield
John Barrow
Doris O. Matsui
Donna M. Christensen
Kathy Castor