House Votes to Lock the Clock - for Good

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As my colleague Ward Clark reported on Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives moved the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent throughout the United States, from committee to the House floor for a vote. On Tuesday, the full House voted and passed the Act, 308-117.

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The House on Tuesday voted to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide, amid a yearslong push to end the twice-annual clock changes. 

The bill, titled the Sunshine Protection Act, passed in a 308 to 117 vote. In addition to keeping clocks shifted one hour ahead, which happens in the spring, the measure would allow states to use standard time if an exemption is in effect before the federal law is enacted. Hawaii and most of Arizona currently use standard time year-round.

"I don't really know anybody who wants to change the clock anymore," said Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey on Monday as the House Rules Committee considered the measure. 

GOP Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida, who introduced the bill, said Tuesday the clock changes disrupt schedules "for no good reason." 

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Read More: No More Fall Back: House Now to Vote on Permanent Daylight Saving Time

Sick of Changing Your Clocks? Trump Wants to End the Madness

This is performative theater and nothing more. There are more pressing issues for our country and on the House docket, like national security appropriations, bills to combat fraud, and government controls over AI and data centers. But fresh off the House's July 4th recess, this was first up for consideration. According to Independent Rep. Kevin Kiley (CA-03), the decision to suspend the production of pennies is next in line. Since the Sunshine Protection Act is a Trump-endorsed bill, the slightly bipartisan margin of YES votes probably gives Democrats bragging rights that they are getting along and reaching across the aisle.

Whatever. 

Proponents of the bill argue the change would have positive impacts on sleep schedules, people's health and the economy, and would allow Americans to have more daylight hours in the evening throughout the year. Its critics say extended darkness in the morning hours of winter would have negative effects on health and safety.

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As the bill heads to the Senate, at least one Democrat is on board. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) sponsored a 2022 bill in the Senate to do the same thing, and excitedly posted on X to her constituents claiming that she urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to bring it to the Senate floor.

WATCH:

These people can do nothing without a sprinkling of TDS. We will see how many of her colleagues sign on with her, or how many of the rogue Republican Senators vote NO or abstain just to stick it to Trump. 

Queue the R.E.M.

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