[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 194 (Thursday, November 4, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7778-S7779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                  Local Journalism Sustainability Act

  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I come to the floor to talk about the 
Local Journalism Sustainability Act.
  And before the majority leader leaves, I want to thank him for his 
leadership on such an important piece of legislation. From the very 
beginning, he understood the fact that diversity in resources is about 
competition and is a key part of our democracy, and we wouldn't be at 
the precipice of getting support for local journalism without his help. 
So I thank him for that.
  We originally introduced legislation here in the Senate that Senators 
Wyden, Kelly, Schatz, Markey, Murray, Klobuchar, my colleague Senator 
Schumer, Manchin, Cortez Masto, Sinema, Baldwin, Lujan, Leahy, and 
Blumenthal all supported.
  This is important legislation. We hope our House colleagues will take 
this up this afternoon or tomorrow, as it is included in the Build Back 
Better program, to make sure that we have the free press that is 
essential to our democracy and that we have true competition.
  Local news is a trusted source of news. Working to high journalistic 
standards, local newspapers and broadcasters play a critical role in 
holding our elected officials accountable, shining a spotlight on 
important news, and challenging the issues of our community to come to 
light. As one friend of mine said, local news is like hanging a lantern 
on a problem so that the light shines through.
  That is exactly why we want to make sure that we continue to support 
having this diversity of voices, especially while we see in the online 
world unfair and uncompetitive practices that we know will be discussed 
by our colleagues, looked at by the Department of Justice, and 
certainly legislation proposed about. But in the meantime, we want to 
keep this diversity of voices working.
  We know that since 2005, newspapers have lost more than 40,000 
newsroom employees--about 60 percent of their workforce. Most States 
have lost more than 50 percent of their newsroom workforce. We cannot 
let regional and community news organizations continue to die as we 
navigate very challenging information-age business issues. That is why 
this legislation is so important.
  Local journalism is highly trusted in communities around the country. 
According to a 2019 study from Gallup and Knight Foundation, Americans 
trust local news over national news by a 2-to-1 margin to ``report the 
news without bias.'' Local journalism has developed that trust based on 
transparency, accuracy, ethical reporting, and shining a light on 
important issues, including crime and corruption, and holding public 
officials accountable.
  Local news reporting takes national news stories and translates them 
into their community news, and America's newspapers and online 
journalists and radio and television broadcasters are at the heart of 
this media landscape.
  During the pandemic, broadcasters continued to provide essential 
information to audiences, reporting the news and helping us keep 
connected on such an important issue.
  The Local Journalism Sustainability Act is essential to maintaining 
that trust, that diversity of voices, and that local perspective. The 
tax incentives in this bill will help local newspapers and digital-only 
news journalists and broadcast newsrooms remain financially viable to 
retain and hire local-based journalists to cover local news stories.
  This bill helps incentivize newspapers and broadcasters, including 
those owned by larger entities, to invest in reporting local news to 
their relevant communities.
  Local and regional minority-owned businesses and outlets also benefit 
from this provision, which is one of the reasons why the association 
representing the Black press, the National Newspaper Publishers 
Association, and the National Association of Hispanic Publications also 
support this legislation.
  America's democracy really does depend on ensuring that we have 
access to information and that we have informed decisions. Doing so 
also means that we have true competition and information and news that 
can be verified.
  So I am pleased that the House has incorporated this important 
provision into the Build Back Better reconciliation program. I hope 
that when this comes to the Senate, our colleagues will join in 
supporting this, in helping local newspapers, radio and television 
stations, and digital journalists continue to help us get the news.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as if in 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


                    Sunshine Protection Act of 2021

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I come to the floor today because it is 
time to make daylight saving time permanent.
  This Sunday, millions of Americans are going to once again roll their 
clocks back, and in no time, next spring, they will have to roll their 
clocks forward. For what reason? I don't know a single person who loves 
to go through the trouble of figuring out whether their microwave or 
their oven has the hour right or anyone who looks forward to the Sun 
setting earlier and earlier every winter.
  But beyond convenience, this really is a matter of health and safety. 
Studies have shown that our switch to standard time can increase rates 
of seasonal depression, as well as heart problems and the risk of 
stroke. Researchers also believe that if we made daylight saving time 
permanent, there would be fewer car accidents and evening robberies 
thanks to a more regular schedule and an extra hour of Sun.
  There are studies that indicate permanent daylight saving time could 
offset reduced economic activity that we see during standard time and 
even would lead to greater energy savings.
  The people in my home State of Washington know this. That is why we 
have already passed legislation to switch to permanent daylight saving 
time. And it is not just Washington; States across the country--Florida 
and California and Maine and many more--have now passed legislation in 
their States or resolutions to make daylight saving time year-round. 
But they are powerless to enact the overwhelming will of the people 
until they get Federal approval.
  To put it simply, Americans want more sunshine and less depression.
  That is actually why I am very proud to cosponsor the bipartisan 
Sunshine Protection Act of 2021, which would extend Daylight Saving 
Time permanently so Americans can enjoy having sunlight during their 
most productive hour of the day and never have to worry about changing 
their clocks again.
  Congress has to be part of the solution. Here is a bipartisan issue 
that we can and we should all get behind.
  Now, I am working very hard to support the passage of this bill 
however possible. But this is something my constituents are truly fed 
up with, so I am also pressing the Department of Transportation to 
explore every avenue available to them to at least let States--like 
mine, whose voters overwhelmingly want permanent Daylight Saving Time--
have it.
  (Ms. CORTEZ MASTO assumed the Chair.)
  Madam President, in this country, when people have demanded changes 
to daylight saving rules or if it benefits the country, like saving 
daylight during World War I or the oil embargo in the 1970s, we have 
simply just changed the rules.
  No one wants dark afternoons during the winter or to lose an extra 
hour of sleep every spring. And I can assure you that every parent that 
has to deal with a child every time we change the clock and it upsets 
their routines will be behind this.
  For goodness' sake, voters across the country have shown that they 
support

[[Page S7779]]

this; research shows that it is good for public health; and studies 
actually demonstrate real economic and energy saving benefits.
  So, Madam President, I urge that we pass the Sunshine Protection Act 
and finally make Daylight Saving Time permanent.
  Thank you.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nebraska is recognized.