WASHINGTON, DC – Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced the Sunshine Protection Act, to officially “lock the clock” and end the twice-yearly time change and make Daylight Saving Time (DST) the national year-round standard.“Twice a year Oklahomans ask themselves—why do we still have to change our clocks? Moms of young children dread the time of year when clocks change, but babies’ schedules don’t. It is past time to get this bill to the President’s desk so we can stop the annoying twicea- year reset of the clocks. Let’s lock the clocks,” Lankford said.“I hear from Americans constantly that they are sick and tired of changing their clocks twice a year – it’s an unnecessary, decades-old practice that’s more of an annoyance to families than benefit to them. In 2018, as Governor of Florida, I signed legislation that would allow the state to opt out of the practice of changing the time and I’ve been a leading effort in getting this done on the federal level. I’m excited to have President Trump back in the White House and fully on board to LOCK THE CLOCK so we can get this good bill passed and make this common-sense change that will simplify and benefit the lives of American families,” Scott said.Senators Patty Murray (DWA), Tommy Tuberville (RAL), Rand Paul (R-KY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Cynthia Lummis (RWY), Ed Markey (R-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Katie Britt (R-AL) cosponsored this legislation. The Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act in the 117th Congress.This bill would apply to states who currently participate in DST, which most states observe for eight months out of the year. Standard Time, from November to March, is only observed for four months out of the year. The bill would simply negate the need for Americans to change their clocks twice a year. Many studies have shown that making DST permanent could benefit the economy and the country. Lankford and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) penned an opinion piece on why Daylight Saving Time should be permanent.
