[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 179 (Tuesday, October 31, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Sunshine Protection Act

  Mr. President, I also come to the floor today to talk about something 
a little bit different. This weekend, Americans are going to fall back. 
Daylight saving time, it is coming to an end. This should be the last 
time we ever have to fall back.
  Senator Rubio and I have introduced legislation the last 2 years that 
would do just that. It is called the Sunshine Protection Act, supported 
by a lot of people. Over the past 2 years, I have received countless 
calls from all over the State of Alabama to make daylight saving time 
permanent. We are living in the past.
  Many Alabamians--including parents, senior citizens, farmers, and 
mental health professionals--have called my office in support of more 
sunshine in the evening. This is probably one of the top issues I get 
phone calls about, and we deal with a lot of them. But it is amazing 
how many phone calls we do get over this one topic. People across 
America agree that changing our clocks back and forth twice a year 
really makes no sense. It makes no sense sometimes and, as I said 
earlier, people call and say they are just sick of it.
  The idea of daylight saving was originally known as ``war time.'' 
That is when it was started. It was first introduced as a temporary 
measure to save energy during World War I. Many studies have proven 
that extra sunlight in the evening has benefits for mental health, 
physical fitness, economic growth, and overall well-being. It is a 
simple way we could positively impact the day-to-day life of all 
Americans.
  This bill is also a way to get something done that a lot of people 
care about. It affects everybody's life in this country. Shifting 
clocks can disrupt sleep patterns. It is kind of like a jetlag. We are 
giving the entire country jetlag twice a year. But a permanent daylight 
saving time will have Americans maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
  Studies show disrupting sleep patterns increases the risk of 
cardiovascular disease and other diseases. Northwestern's medical 
school found that the ``fall back and spring forward'' comes with 9 
percent spike in fatal car accidents and 24 percent higher risks of 
heart attacks. The long-term effects of sleep disruption include weight 
gain, headaches, and depression.
  The time switch in the fall increases seasonal affective disorder. 
One study found that the transition from daylight saving time to 
standard time increases the number of hospital visits of depression by 
11 percent. You would think we would listen to that.
  Permanent daylight saving time with extra sunlight in the evening 
will also encourage more physical activity. Kids will be able to enjoy 
the outdoors more. Older Americans will be able to increase their 
vitamin D. Longer daylight hours in the evening have been proven to 
stimulate economic activity. People are more likely to shop, dine out, 
and participate in group activities when there is light outside.
  For one thing, it really affects our farmers. More sunshine during 
working hours means more time to work in the fields, which can 
translate into more profits, which our farmers desperately need. 
Permanent daylight saving could help farmers save energy.
  In my State of Alabama, along with 17 other States, they have already 
passed legislation to end the outdated practice of changing the clocks. 
But the Federal Government must act to allow these State laws to go 
into effect. Making daylight saving time permanent would improve our 
health, bolster our economy, benefit our farmers, and put America on 
the path to a brighter future. It makes a lot of sense. It is time to 
move America forward and stop falling back.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland.