Daylight Saving Time Gets Unanimous Vote To Be Permanent In The US

This week, the US Senate unanimously voted to make daylight saving time a permanent measure, putting a stop to having to change the clocks twice every year. 

Dubbed the Sunshine Protection Act, the regulation is scheduled to come into effect in 2023, though it will first have to be passed by the House of Representatives and signed by President Joe Biden.

While it’s unclear if President Biden is in favor of the change, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she was “reviewing it closely,” as per Reuters.

Supporters of the bill have said it would allow children to spend more time outdoors, reduce seasonal depression, and increase economic activity during the darker months of the year.

“Springing forward and falling back year after year only creates unnecessary confusion while harming Americans’ health and our economy,” Democratic Senator, Ron Wyden said previously.

“Making daylight saving permanent would give folks an hour back of sunshine during the winter months when we need it most,” he added.

However, not everyone is as keen on daylight saving time as a whole.

Beth Malow, Director of the Vanderbilt Sleep Division, said that daylight saving time made it more difficult to be alert in the morning, saying it was akin to “living in the wrong time zone for almost eight months out of the year.”

Additionally, as per CNET, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine said that the standard time was the “best choice to most closely match our circadian sleep-wake cycle.” 

“Daylight saving time results in more darkness in the morning and more light in the evening, disrupting the body’s natural rhythm,” remarked Dr M. Adeel Rishi.

It still remains to be seen if the bill will pass through the House, and if then, it will be backed by the Biden Administration. 

[via Reuters and CNET, cover image via Juan Moyano | Dreamstime.com]