As the clock change approaches, lawmakers in the U.S. Congress are advocating for legislation that could end the biannual switch to standard time. On November 2, 2023, most of the country is expected to set clocks back an hour, a routine that some legislators hope will be a thing of the past. Federal efforts are underway to establish permanent daylight saving time, which supporters believe could provide various benefits.
Current Legislative Efforts
As of early September, there are four bills in Congress related to daylight saving time. Two of these proposals aim to implement year-round daylight saving time, while the other two would grant states the authority to decide whether to adopt permanent daylight saving time. All four bills have been referred to committee, with at least one requiring a revote.
The foremost proposals are the House and Senate versions of the Sunshine Protection Act, which have garnered support since their introduction in January. Initially introduced by former Senator Marco Rubio from Florida, the legislation previously passed the Senate in 2021 with bipartisan backing but failed to gain similar traction in the House. Now, Vern Buchanan (R-FL) has reintroduced the act in the House, while Rick Scott (R-FL) is leading the Senate effort.
Support and Challenges
Buchanan’s bill has attracted support from over two dozen Republican representatives. Notable cosponsors include:
- Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan (R-PA)
- Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. (R-PA)
- Rep. Strong, Dale W. (R-AL)
- Rep. Webster, Daniel (R-FL)
- Rep. Newhouse, Dan (R-WA)
- Rep. Davidson, Warren (R-OH)
- Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira (R-FL)
- Rep. Meuser, Daniel (R-PA)
- Rep. Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” (R-GA)
- Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. (R-OK)
- Rep. Burlison, Eric (R-MO)
- Rep. McCormick, Richard (R-GA)
- Rep. Rutherford, John H. (R-FL)
- Rep. Mills, Cory (R-FL)
- Rep. Haridopolos, Mike (R-FL)
- Rep. Lee, Laurel M. (R-FL)
- Rep. Mace, Nancy (R-SC)
- Rep. Boebert, Lauren (R-CO)
- Rep. Ezell, Mike (R-MS)
- Rep. Bean, Aaron (R-FL)
- Rep. Moore, Barry (R-AL)
- Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina (R-FL)
- Rep. Obernolte, Jay (R-CA)
- Rep. Houchin, Erin (R-IN)
- Rep. Barrett, Tom (R-MI)
- Rep. Rouzer, David (R-NC)
In the Senate, Scott’s bill has also attracted bipartisan support, with co-sponsors including:
- Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
- Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI)
- Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)
- Sen. James Lankford (R-OK)
- Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
- Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)
- Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
- Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN)
- Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN)
- Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)
- Sen. Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL)
- Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA)
- Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA)
- Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL)
- Sen. Cynthia M. Lummis (R-WY)
- Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
- Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC)
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing on Scott’s bill in April. Although it advanced out of committee, it requires a revote to comply with Senate rules, as a spokesperson noted.
If Congress does not act swiftly, the clock change will proceed as scheduled on November 2, bringing the familiar transition back to standard time for much of the country.
