Repeal of light-bulb bill fails in the House, 233/183

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi personally whipped Democratic Caucus members to vote against the bill, a Democratic aide told POLITICO.

“I was concerned that Ms. Pelosi might make it a litmus test issue in her caucus, and she did,” Barton said after the vote. “We only got 5 Democrat votes. Everybody in the Blue Dog caucus and the Black caucus that voted no, voted against their constituents.

“I thought I had 25 at a minimum. I thought, if it were truly a free vote, I thought we’d pass it on suspension,” he added.

Barton said his plan is to move the measure under a regular rule requiring only majority support or as a spending bill amendment.