A.G. Gancarski
Sen. Marco Rubio continues to press his argument that daylight saving time should be made permanent.
Rubio has filed legislation for the last four years to end the twice-a-year practice of changing clocks. And, as is his habit, he made the case in a video message released just days before clocks “spring forward” Sunday morning.
“We Americans are about to suffer another ridiculous time change as we spring forward this weekend,” lamented Rubio. “Switching in and out of daylight saving time is outdated, and is only a source of annoyance and confusion.”
The Senator urged America to “lock the clock” and “put all this stupidity behind us,” saying that in addition to “bipartisan, bicameral support” in Congress, that polls were with the clock lock also.
The Sunshine Protection Act, would make daylight saving time (DST) permanent across the country. The measure was filed again last March. But thus far, it has not been a priority in Washington.
The bill has been introduced only to die every year since 2018, despite Florida being one of 20 states to have passed a resolution urging the end of semiannual clock changes.
“The call to end the antiquated practice of clock changing is gaining momentum throughout the nation,” Rubio said upon introducing the legislation. “Studies have shown many benefits of a year-round daylight saving time, which is why the Florida Legislature voted to make it permanent in 2018.”
Rubio’s bill applies to states that currently take part in DST.
“The bill would simply negate the need for Americans to change their clocks twice a year,” his Senate office contends.
Rubio has made creative pitches to break the American tradition of clock changing, including invoking the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic to that end in 2020.
“Our government has asked a lot of the American people over the past seven months, and keeping the nation on daylight saving time is just one small step we can take to help ease the burden,” Rubio said. “More daylight in the after-school hours is critical to helping families and children endure this challenging school year.”
However, even if this legislation were to finally pass, the mood in the White House is different than when Rubio first brought it forth. Though former President Donald Trump is a fan of permanent daylight saving time — tweeting that “no one likes changing the clock” — President Joe Biden seems rather agnostic on the matter of clock changes.
6 comments
Beth
March 12, 2022 at 12:41 pm
Too busy to be present to vote, too petty to attend the SOTU, has not done one positive thing for this state or the country. Yet he pulls out all the stops for this issue. Seriously, what in the world has happened to the republican party? Every single member needs to be voted out.
Ocean Joe
March 12, 2022 at 4:08 pm
He’s been pushing this for years, it’s a good idea, but what he demonstrates over and over, with congresses controlled by both parties…is that he simply cannot get it done.
As for the Republicans, I’d keep Cheney and Kinzinger, and all the “brave” folks who voted for the infrastructure bill. Marco was afraid to cross Donald. Scott doesn’t care about roads and bridges, he flies everywhere in his private jet.
Laverne W
March 14, 2022 at 9:49 pm
Liz Cheney voted for the infrastructure bill (i.e., inflation)?? I’d thought I liked her, but maybe not.
Ocean Joe
March 15, 2022 at 5:37 pm
Congrats to Rubio, the bill actually passed unanimously, now I think it’s up to the Dept of Transportation.
As for inflation, crumbling roads and bridges won’t help either. Fix the roadways, repair and restore the supply chain. Watch supply do what it has always done: reduce demand, followed by reduction of prices. If certain industries want to maximize profits then accept that as a cost of living in a capitalistic society. If you don’t like that don’t oppose reasonable regulations. When I see rents going up by huge percentages, maybe those blue state idiots who have rent controls are not so stupid, unless you really dont care whether people lose their homes.
Inmates are Running the Asylum
March 12, 2022 at 4:22 pm
This has a bit of common sense, and it’s easy enough. It might also generate a little work for computer programmers turning off all the daylightsavings coding.
We’re not an Agro society that needs it any longer anyway, and our AG is becoming more and more automated.
It’s one of the adult items I’ve read on the site for a change.
ELT
March 15, 2022 at 8:56 pm
I’m a resident of Delaware and am so thankful through your efforts getting the U.S. Senate to pass the bill ending DST once and for all! Kudos to you Marco! Hopefully the House will pass it as well!
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