Public Domain Cimex lectularius, more frequently known as the bed bug, lives off the blood of human beings

The War on Bed Bugs, of course, is not a new expenditure for the government. H.R. 6068, cleverly nicknamed the Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act, was previously considered by the House of Representatives, but failed to pass. It would have appropriated money to state governments in order for them to "conduct inspections of lodging facilities" for the precarious creatures. The government, however, could not let the vicious bed bugs win, and, since the law could not be passed, decided to take the next logical step of mass education. The summit, held on Tuesday and Wednesday in Arlington, Virginia, attracted over 300 participants. The government aimed to educate, while also discussing possible solutions to the bed bug resurgence. Many of the pesticides that are most effective against bed bugs, however, have been banned by the United States government. The aim of the EPA hosted, taxpayer-funded conference is to examine possible solutions to this dilemma.