[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 43 (Thursday, March 6, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1591-S1592]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Sunshine Protection Act

  Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, well, it is that time again. I think I 
have given this speech three or four times in the last few years.
  This weekend, all of America and my constituents back in Alabama will 
spring forward to daylight saving time. I am working very hard to make 
this, hopefully, possibly, the last time that we move our clocks. I 
recently joined my colleague Senator Rick Scott to reintroduce for the 
third time the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time 
permanent at the Federal level.
  Out of all the legislative efforts I have been part of in my 4 years 
here in Congress, the thing I hear about the most from my people in 
Alabama is their desire to lock the clock.
  Daylight saving time should be a thing of the past because it 
literally is a thing of the past. First introduced as a temporary 
measure during World War I, daylight saving time was originally called 
wartime, and it was a way to help conserve fuel during a very different 
time in this country.
  Following the end of World War I, in 1918, the Standard Time Act was 
enacted to continue daylight saving time nationally, but individual 
States continued to spring forward and fall back. Then, during World 
War II, there was a renewed Federal push for full-time daylight saving 
time, which then was repealed in 1945.
  Finally, in 1966, Congress passed legislation to establish national 
standards for daylight saving time.
  All of this is to say that changes to our clock might have made sense 
when it first began many, many years ago. For one, the American work 
culture and lifestyle are vastly different than they were 100 years 
ago.
  Plus, a disruptive time change can have serious consequences on human 
health. Studies have suggested that the disruption of sleep patterns 
due to the time changes increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases 
and physical injuries. Northwestern Medicine found that the fall back 
and the spring forward are connected to a 6-percent spike in fatal car 
accidents and a 24-percent higher risk of heart attacks as most people 
change their sleeping habits.
  Additionally, the long-term health effects linked to daylight saving 
time include weight gain, cluster headaches, and depression. The time 
switch in the fall increases seasonal affective disorder every single 
year. A study published in 2017 found that the transition from daylight 
saving time to standard time increased a number of hospital visits for 
depression by 11 percent.
  By making daylight saving time permanent, Americans would enjoy more 
sunshine in the evenings. This is so important for many Americans who 
may not get a chance to get outside during the day. It would allow 
hard-working Americans to go on a run after work or enable dads to play 
with their kids outdoors or neighbors to grill and do things together 
outside--what a thought.
  Many studies have proven that extra sunlight in the evening can lead 
to improvements in mental health, physical fitness, economic growth, 
and well-being.
  As a founding member of the Senate MAHA Caucus, I am very passionate 
about helping to make Americans healthy again. An important part of 
this is making sure people get enough sleep and more sunlight.
  Did you know that vitamin D from the sun is linked to preventing many 
diseases, including cancer? It is true. And many Americans don't get 
nearly enough of vitamin D, especially those who work at desk jobs and 
are inside for most of the day. And that has increased since the 
invention of what we call the computer.
  Locking the clock is an important first step to helping Americans 
live healthier lives. It is a simple way we could positively impact the 
day-to-day life of all Americans.

[[Page S1592]]

  Our farmers are also greatly affected by daylight saving time, as 
additional sunshine during working hours means more time to work in the 
fields, which could translate into a more profitable bottom line for 
anybody who raises crops. As you know, I am all about helping our great 
farmers.
  More daylight in the evening could also decrease expensive energy 
consumption on farms by reducing the need for artificial lighting and 
heating. Back in the 1970s, we had an energy crisis. We kept daylight 
saving time because it saved millions and millions of gallons of fuel.
  Experts believe that the time changed twice a year costs the U.S. 
economy more than $434 million in lost productivity annually.
  It is clear the evidence points to one conclusion: Make daylight 
saving time permanent. Nineteen States, including my State of Alabama, 
have already voted and passed legislation to make daylight saving time 
permanent. They just need Congress--which means us--to vote for it. If 
we vote for it, it changes, and we would never have to move the clock 
again.
  President Trump has also expressed support for locking the clock. 
Congress should listen to the people and pass the Sunshine Protection 
Act to make daylight saving time permanent.
  The change would improve our health, strengthen our economy, and 
benefit our farmers. This is a no-brainer. It is time for America to 
move forward and stop falling back.
  I am looking forward to working with my Senate colleagues to get it 
completely across the finish line to lock the clock once and for all.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.