The House of Representatives passed H.R. 139, the Sunshine Protection Act, on July 14, which would make daylight saving time permanent across the United States.
Congressman Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, said, “Millions of Americans across the country have asked Congress to reevaluate the current system of changing our clocks twice a year. Today’s bipartisan vote to ‘lock the clock’ is a response to the advocacy of our constituents and the evidence that year-round daylight saving time boosts economic activity and improves public safety. I appreciate the work of my colleagues to advance this bill, and I look forward to the Senate’s consideration of this important legislation.”
Congressman Gus Bilirakis said, “For years, Floridians have made it clear that they are tired of the outdated and unnecessary practice of changing the clocks twice a year. The biannual time change disrupts daily routines, inconveniences families and businesses, and no longer reflects the needs of our modern economy. Establishing permanent daylight saving time will provide Americans with greater consistency, more usable daylight in the evening, and the certainty that comes with ending the twice-yearly clock changes. Americans are ready to ditch the switch, and today we took an important step toward making that long-overdue goal a reality.”
Congressman Vern Buchanan added, “Today, the House took an important step toward ending the outdated practice of changing our clocks twice a year by passing my bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act. This commonsense legislation reflects what Americans have been saying for years: it’s time to lock the clock and make daylight saving time permanent. Permanent daylight saving time will improve public safety, promote healthier and more active lifestyles, and give families more daylight to enjoy after work and school. I’m grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this bipartisan effort, and I urge the Senate to send this long-overdue reform to the president’s desk.”
The Sunshine Protection Act was included in a broader legislative package known as The Motor Vehicle Modernization Act, which passed out of committee by a vote of 48 yeas to 1 nay.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee focuses on legislation concerning energy policy as well as health care issues such as pharmaceutical pricing; it also covers environmental protection measures along with telecommunications regulation, according to its official website. The committee stands as one of Congress’s oldest standing committees dating back to its origins in 1795 when it formed as The Committee on Commerce and Manufactures.