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๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Indonesia /Elections & Politics

US House Passes Bill for Permanent Daylight Saving Time

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The US House of Representatives passed a bill to make daylight saving time permanent with a large bipartisan majority.
  • Proponents cite benefits like increased tourism and reduced sleep disruption, while opponents worry about late winter sunrises and safety.
  • The bill's future is uncertain in the Senate, where lawmakers are divided on its potential impact.

The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a bill to make daylight saving time permanent, eliminating the twice-yearly clock changes. The "Sunshine Protection Act" passed with a 308-to-117 majority, signaling strong support for the shift.

disrupts routines, throws off our sleep and creates unnecessary frustration for families.

โ€” Representative Kat CammackDuring the debate on the "Sunshine Protection Act" in the US House of Representatives.

Supporters, including lawmakers from coastal states like Florida and Louisiana, argue that year-round daylight saving time will boost tourism, encourage outdoor activities, and minimize disruptions to sleep and road safety. Representative Kat Cammack highlighted the frustration caused by the current system, while former President Donald Trump has previously expressed support for the change, calling it the "far more popular alternative."

We are going with the far more popular alternative, Saving Daylight, which gives you a longer, brighter Day. And who can be against that.

โ€” Donald TrumpIn a social media post regarding the daylight saving time change.

However, the proposal faces significant hurdles in the Senate, where divisions persist over its potential effects across different regions. Lawmakers from agricultural and Midwestern states have voiced opposition, concerned that permanent daylight saving time would lead to extremely late sunrises in winter, potentially creating hazardous morning commutes. Senator John Barrasso noted the varying impacts across the country, emphasizing that the issue is not straightforward.

a relic of the past that no longer reflects the way Americans live, work and conduct business in the 21st century.

โ€” Representative Gus BilirakisCommenting on the clock change legislation.

Health and sleep experts also raise concerns, with some advocacy groups arguing that permanent standard time aligns better with natural circadian rhythms. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon supports year-round standard time, stressing the importance of morning light as a cue for the body's internal clock. The debate highlights a geographical and partisan divide on how best to adjust the nation's timekeeping.

Depends where youโ€™re living in the country and the impact that it would be in your own home state. So, itโ€™s not as simple as what one state might like.

โ€” Senator John BarrassoDiscussing the varying impacts of permanent daylight saving time across the US.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.