In 2007, with the economy chugging along, environmentalists believed light bulbs were killing the world. Companies like General Electric (GE) and Royal Philips Electronics (PHG), two of the biggest light bulb producers, were happy to oblige and helped Congress develop a de facto incandescent ban. The law didn't outright ban bulbs, it simply set a new standard only newfangled, more efficient bulbs could meet.
A lot has changed since 2007 - the replacement bulbs are either dangerous (CFL) or not very good (everything else) - and people have seen through the clever Energy Independence and Security Act name and realized they are going to be paying a lot more and accomplish little in the way of energy independence.
California, ironically claiming to care about people and the environment, banned the sale of 100-watt incandescents this year, knowing full well that it was just going to be a big profit center for manufacturers. Instead of paying $.50 for a light bulb, you can now pay $2-25.
Republicans, who supposedly only care about rich corporations, don't want to make rich corporations richer on this one and are siding with poor people who don't want to live in the Dark Ages where only the rich can afford light at night and are set to vote today on a bill by Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, to repeal parts of that 2007 law.
GE seems to be backing off its stance, though it still claims it spent a whole lot of money re-tooling for a standard they helped jam through Congress, but now stating "With or without the new energy standards for light bulbs, GE Lighting's business strategy will not change."
See? It's not a ban, it's new standards. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, good physicist but always a concern because he has a global warming fetish that doesn't let him think clearly about a rational energy policy for America, said, "We are taking away a choice that continues to let people waste their own money." Meaning he will save you money if he encourages you to spend a lot more.
Will this revised bill get anywhere? No, if it will cost money and accomplish little but look like it is helping the environment, Pres. Obama is sure to veto any changes to it.
