By CatholicVote | Created at 2025-01-08 20:31:12 | Updated at 2025-01-09 11:02:42
14 hours ago
CV NEWS FEED // A Florida representative has filed a bill in Congress aiming to abolish the biannual time change and make daylight saving time permanent.
The proposed legislation aims to end the practice of “springing forward” and “falling back” after the upcoming springtime change. This would lead to later sunrises and sunsets during the four months when most of the U.S. currently follows standard time, leading to reduced morning sunlight and extended daylight in the evening.
Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) reintroduced H.R.139, or the Sunshine Protection Act, Jan. 3.
The answer is YES. It’s time to end the outdated practice of changing our clocks twice a year.
Let’s keep an extra hour of sunshine year round. Congress should pass my bill to make DST permanent. https://t.co/LSh9wiZZXS
Buchanan first introduced the Sunshine Protection Act in 2019 but did not receive any votes. In 2022, the bill passed the Senate unanimously, but did not pass the House of Representatives.
“There are enormous health and economic benefits to making daylight saving time permanent,” Buchanan said in 2023, when he and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) proposed the bill again. “Florida lawmakers have already voted to make daylight saving time permanent in my home state and Congress should pass the Sunshine Protection Act to move Florida and the rest of the country to year-round daylight saving time.”
In the same 2023 statement, Buchanan referenced several studies on the benefits of making daylight saving time permanent, including improved road safety, reduced health risks like seasonal depression and cardiac issues, and lower crime rates due to extended evening daylight. Additionally, he noted positive impacts on the economy, physical activity, and agriculture.
“Changing our clocks twice a year is inconvenient and entirely unnecessary,” Buchanan stated. “It’s time to end this antiquated practice.”
