Republicans have been complaining about taxes, the economy and jobs day and night, but strangely light bulbs has become a hot issue for them instead of job creation.

House lawmakers Tuesday stymied an initial effort by Republicans to put an end to infamous light bulb efficiency standards.

The bill from Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) to repeal part of a 2007 energy law requiring traditional incandescent light bulbs to be 30 percent more energy efficient beginning in 2012 failed to get the necessary two-thirds support needed for approval under expedited rules. A majority of members — 233 — supported the repeal, including five Democrats. Ten Republicans joined 183 Democrats opposing the measure.House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi personally whipped Democratic Caucus members to vote against the bill, a Democratic aide told POLITICO.---

The Energy Department has argued the light bulb efficiency standards would save $6 billion annually.

“It really just boils down to we’re helping the American people save money,” Energy Secretary Steven Chu said on a conference call with reporters late last week.

Chu said critics are wrong in saying the standards would ban all incandescent light bulbs, adding that the “look and feel” of newer, more efficient bulbs would be “exactly the same. It’s just cheaper to operate.”

“These standards are not taking choices away,” he added.

Barton said before the vote he wasn’t worried about any political fallout for the Republicans.