Sixty years. That is how long Americans have been subjected to the biannual ritual of losing an hour of sleep in March, gaining it back in November, and spending a solid week afterward wondering why the microwave clock says something different than the stove. Congress appears ready to put us out of our misery, and frankly it is about time. Pun absolutely intended.
As USA Journal reported, the House of Representatives is set to vote next week on the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent nationwide. The House Energy and Commerce Committee already approved it 48 to 1 back in May. One person voted no. One. Somebody on that committee looked at the proposal to stop a practice that everyone on Earth hates and said "nah, I'm good." That person probably also enjoys jury duty and waiting at the DMV.
Here is where this story gets really fun. The Senate unanimously passed the same bill back in 2022. All 100 senators agreed on something, which statistically should not be possible. These people cannot agree on what day of the week it is, and they managed to unanimously say yes to ending clock changes. Then the House just let the bill sit there and expire like milk in the back of the fridge. Classic Congress.
Trump is on board this time around, having said in May that it is past time for people to stop worrying about the clock and all the "work and money that is spent on this ridiculous, twice yearly production." When the president and every senator from 2022 and 48 out of 49 committee members all agree, you would think this would be a layup. But this is Washington, where layups require a subcommittee hearing, a markup session, and fourteen amendments about unrelated topics.
The actual health case against clock changes is no joke. Car accidents spike after the spring change. Heart attacks increase. Productivity craters. All of this so we can participate in a tradition originally justified by energy savings that multiple studies have shown are basically nonexistent. We are collectively wrecking our sleep schedules twice a year for vibes.
There is a legitimate debate about whether permanent Standard Time or permanent Daylight Saving Time is the better pick. Standard Time lines up better with natural light cycles and human biology. Daylight Saving Time gives people more evening sunlight, which is what most folks prefer. You know what? Either one works. The point is to pick one and stop touching the clocks.
Arizona and Hawaii already ignore the time changes entirely, and the bill would let states opt out. Those two states have been living in the future this whole time, just watching the rest of us stumble around every March like confused zombies.
The House has a vote coming next week. They fumbled this once already. Do not fumble it again. The American people are begging you to do the one thing everyone agrees on. That bar is on the floor.
Read more conservative news commentary at: USA Journal News
