The US Senate passed the legislation to make daylight savings time permanent from 2023 onwards. Here’s all about the end of the twice-annual changing of clocks, brighter afternoons, and more economic activity.
US Senate approves daylight savings time
On Tuesday, the US Senate approved a measure known as the Sunshine Protection Act by unanimous voice note. The House of Representatives held a hearing and decided to pass the bill before President Biden’s signing. However, the White House did not reveal the President’s support. Nancy Pelosi, a spokesperson for the House Speaker declined to reveal the support but, she promised that she is reviewing it. The National Association of Convenience Stores stated that “we should not have kids going to school in the dark”.
Senator Marco Rubio, a sponsor of the bill stated that supporters agreed that the change will take place after November 2023. It will also be taking inputs from broadcasters and airline firms. “I know this is not the most important issue confronting America, but it’s one of those issues where there’s a lot of agreement. If we can get this passed, we don’t have to do this stupidity anymore,” stated Rubio. “Pardon the pun, but this is an idea whose time has come,” he added.
More on the clock-switching
On Sunday, a majority of the US started using daylight savings time by moving one hour ahead. They will be moving back to the regular time in November 2022. Since 2015, around 30 states have been pressing to end the bi-annual clock-changing schedule. However, some states are proposing that they will join if the neighboring states do it. “The loss of that one hour of sleep seems to impact us for days afterward. It also can cause havoc on the sleeping patterns of our kids and our pets,” stated Representative Frank Pallone. Pallone is the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce committee.
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Beth Malow, director of the Vanderbilt Sleep Division argued that daylight savings make it difficult to be alert in the morning. It “is like living in the wrong time zone for almost eight months out of the year,” he expressed. However, Pallone opposed it by citing a 2019 poll that found over 71 percent of Americans preferring not to switch the clocks. Daylight savings time has been in place in the US since the 1960s. However, it was used throughout the year for the first time during the Second World War. Additionally, it was also used in 1973 for reducing energy use following an oil embargo.