Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., lambasted the Energy Department today, saying the agency forces Americans to buy toilets that don't flush properly and light bulbs they don't want in the name of energy efficiency.

During a hearing of the Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Paul told Energy Department official Kathleen Hogan "my toilets don't work in my house. And I blame you and people like you who want to tell me what I can install in my house."

Paul's comments came during a hearing on a bill to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and a separate proposal to repeal a 2007 law that phases out traditional incandescent light bulbs in favor of more energy-efficient options. Paul is among the Senate Republicans backing the repeal effort; similar legislation has been introduced in the House, as we reported this week.

Paul said it was "appalling" and "hypocritical" for the Obama administration to "favor a woman's right to an abortion but you don't favor a woman or a man's right to choose what kind of light bulb, what kind of dishwasher, what kind of washing machine."

In response, Hogan said she doesn't believe that appliance standards restrict personal choice and offered to help Paul find a toilet that works.

The new light bulb standards require manufacturers to produce bulbs that use 25%-30% less energy than standard incandescents, starting Jan. 1. They were signed into law by President George W. Bush.