The United States Senate passed a bill that would make the Daylight Savings Time permanent. After losing one hour of sleep over the weekend, the Senate passed the bill unanimously with no debate at all.
Daylight Saving Time to Be Made Permanent
Senator Marco Rubio introduced the bill named Sunshine Protection Act, which is supposed to stop the turning of clocks back and forth.
Rubio asked others what the rationale is behind changing the time, again and again, adding most Americans now want to end this practice.
Not a single senator objected to the bill, which suggests it would not face resistance in the House either.
There was a pervasive debate over the years where lawmakers were voicing their concerns about the inefficacy of the practice. However, the debate was pushed in the dead-end tunnel every time.
If the bill is passed from the House, it has to be signed by President Biden as well.
BREAKING: The Senate unanimously passed a bill to make daylight savings permanent starting November 2023.
The bill heads to the House. If successful, it would end biannual clock changes and lead to more afternoon light in winter months. pic.twitter.com/JBRRJVnadC
— AJ+ (@ajplus) March 15, 2022
Some senators applauded the bill with joy. As the bill was passed, Democrat Senator Kyrsten Sinema raised both of her fists in joy and yelled, “yes!”
Democrat Senator Patty Murray of Washington was dismayed over an hour of lost sleep.
He suggested this weekend, everyone in the country lost an hour of sleep for no reason, stating people do not want to feel this headache any further.
According to him, parents who bring their children to a sleeping schedule face the real consequences of this lost hour.
Senator Sheldon White House of Rhode Island stated these sorts of practices pushed the lives into darkness. She stated the sun is setting in Rhode Island as early as 4:15.
However, the lawmakers avoided attacking the founder of the practice Benjamin Franklin, as he is considered a Founding Father of America.
House is Likely to Pass the Bill Soon
The senators emphasized to House lawmakers to pass the bill as soon as possible and end this thing once and for all.
A spokesman of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was hopeful the country would get rid of this system soon.
There is some research present to support senators’ claims that making daylight time permanent would make people happier in general.
For instance, a 2017 study by Denmark done of almost 185,000 people from 1995 to 2012 concluded it could result in the reduction of depressive episodes by 11 percent. The episodes can take as long as ten weeks to heal from.
It’s about time for Congress to make daylight savings time permanent. Thank you to @RonWyden and @SenJeffMerkley for helping pass the Sunshine Protection Act in the Senate. Oregonians, call your representatives to ensure this bill also passes the House. https://t.co/4w09layVGG
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) March 15, 2022
Leisure industries believe if people are given more time at night, they can spend more money on recreation.
Likewise, many civil rights advocates claim lighter evenings can help keep communities safe by curbing crime and reducing road accidents.
Many sleep scientists have, however, claimed choosing standard time instead of daylight time is the way to go.
