SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT OF 2025

On 2026-07-14, Representative Troy A. Carter (D-LA-2) delivered a floor speech titled "SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT OF 2025" in the House.

SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT OF 2025

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4445-H4451] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT OF 2025 Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 139) to make daylight savings time permanent, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 139 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Sunshine Protection Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. MAKING DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME PERMANENT. (a) Repeal of Temporary Period for Daylight Savings Time.-- Section 3 of the Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. 260a) is hereby repealed. (b) Advancement of Standard Time.-- (1) In general.--The second sentence of subsection (a) of section 1 of the Act of March 19, 1918 (commonly known as the ``Calder Act'') (15 U.S.C. 261), is amended-- (A) by striking ``4 hours'' and inserting ``3 hours''; (B) by striking ``5 hours'' and inserting ``4 hours''; (C) by striking ``6 hours'' and inserting ``5 hours''; (D) by striking ``7 hours'' and inserting ``6 hours''; (E) by striking ``8 hours'' and inserting ``by 7 hours''; (F) by striking ``9 hours'' and inserting ``8 hours''; [[Page H4446]] (G) by striking ``10 hours;'' and inserting ``9 hours;''; (H) by striking ``11 hours'' and inserting ``10 hours''; and (I) by striking ``10 hours.'' and inserting ``11 hours.''. (2) State exemption.--Such section is further amended by-- (A) redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and (B) inserting after subsection (a) the following: ``(b) Standard Time for Certain States and Areas.--The standard time for a State that has exempted itself from the provisions of section 3(a) of the Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. 260a(a)), as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025, pursuant to such section, or an area of a State that has exempted such area from such provisions pursuant to such section, shall be, as such State considers appropriate-- ``(1) the standard time for such State or area, as the case may be, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section; or ``(2) the standard time for such State or area, as the case may be, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section as it was in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025.''. (3) Conforming amendment.--Such section is further amended, in the second sentence of subsection (a), by striking ``Except as provided in section 3(a) of the Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. 260a),'' and inserting ``Except as provided in subsection (b),''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida. General Leave Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 139. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Florida? There was no objection. {time} 1600 Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Sunshine Protection Act. This important legislation will finally end the outdated practice of changing our clocks twice a year and establish permanent daylight saving time. For decades, Mr. Speaker, Americans have been asking a simple question: Why are we forcing families, businesses, and communities to adjust their schedules every spring and fall? The twice-yearly clock change is a relic of the past that no longer reflects the way Americans live, work, and conduct business in the 21st century. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Buchanan), the lead sponsor and my good friend, for working so hard on this legislation for quite a few years. It is finally coming to fruition. I know it is very important that we pass this bill. In Florida, Mr. Speaker, this issue is especially important. Our State is home to families, retirees, small businesses, and industries that depend on predictable schedules and the ability to make the most of every single day. Floridians have made it clear that they are ready to ditch the switch. Mr. Speaker, I thank the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, for his strong support of this bill. Changing the clocks twice a year creates unnecessary disruption. I know you agree, Mr. Speaker. It affects sleep patterns, impacts family routines, creates confusion for businesses, and requires everyone--from parents and students to employers and employees and even our pets--to adjust their schedules for no meaningful benefit. After years of study and discussion, it is clear that Americans value consistency and certainty. Establishing permanent daylight saving time would provide families with more usable daylight hours in the evening, giving people additional opportunities to spend time outdoors, support local businesses, participate in community activities, and enjoy the quality of life that makes our communities so special. Mr. Speaker, I will add this: This is great for our kids. I want, and I know most parents want, kids to be outdoors now more than ever. The physical activity means so very much. For small businesses, particularly those in tourism, hospitality, and recreation, as I said, additional evening daylight can help drive economic activity and create more opportunities to serve customers. In a State like Florida, my home State of Florida, where tourism is a cornerstone of our economy, having more predictable daylight hours is a practical improvement that benefits workers, businesses, and visitors alike. This legislation is also about listening to the American people. Year after year, Mr. Speaker, polls show strong support for ending the outdated clock change. Families do not want another disruption to their routines. Businesses do not want unnecessary uncertainty. Americans want a commonsense solution. That is exactly what this bill provides, and I have spoken to thousands of constituents on this particular bill, Mr. Speaker, and they agree. They want permanent daylight saving time. I am proud that this effort has received bipartisan support because this is not about politics. It is about practicality. Again, the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Pallone, I know strongly supports this bill, and he will have time to say that. It is about recognizing, Mr. Speaker, that our laws should keep pace with the needs of the people who we represent. Today, we have an opportunity to take a meaningful step toward delivering something Americans have been asking for: consistency, convenience, and a better way to manage their time. The American people are long past ready to ditch the switch. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this critical piece of legislation and sending it over to the Senate, and I know the President will sign it. I know he is a strong backer, and I appreciate his support again. Finally, Congress needs to bring an end to the twice-yearly clock change. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Sunshine Protection Act. This act addresses an issue on which many Americans actually agree, and that is stopping the biannual process of changing our clocks. Only 12 percent of Americans prefer to switch their clocks twice a year. Far more Americans recognize that the practice is inconvenient and, frankly, disruptive. Stopping the twice-yearly time change benefits the health and well- being of all Americans. The time change inevitably disrupts sleep patterns and is especially disruptive to the sleep of young children and pets. Time change also is associated with an increase in the rate of heart attacks and strokes in the days immediately following the change. Disturbingly, studies have shown that the increase in stroke rates after the time change is even higher for some of our most vulnerable populations. For example, cancer patients' stroke rates increase by 25 percent, and people over the age of 65 are 20 percent more likely to have a stroke in the days following the time change. The Sunshine Protection Act would implement permanent daylight saving time and stop the twice-a-year change that disrupts our sleep and our health. Taking this action will increase the sunshine hours in the evening, allowing many Americans to leave work for more sunlight in the winter months, not darkness. The increased evening sunlight will also provide a needed boost to our tourism industry. Extra sunlight means more time at the beach, more time eating out at restaurants, and more time doing outdoor leisure activities. In my district along the Jersey Shore, tourists can enjoy beautiful coastal areas with serene beaches, embark on fishing ventures along the Atlantic Coast, enjoy a nice outdoor concert from iconic musicians in places like Asbury Park, and so much more. Last year alone, New Jersey welcomed more than 120 million visitors to our State, and they contributed more than $50 billion to our State's economy. Our tourism industry needs the boost today more than ever. The Trump administration's policies, including high visa fees and the detention and harassment of legal tourists, have discouraged travelers from visiting our country because they simply do not feel welcome. Meanwhile, Americans are facing an affordability crisis, forcing families to [[Page H4447]] make difficult tradeoffs, including forgoing summer travel. For communities like mine that rely on tourism for our local economies, an 

Referenced legislation: HR139, HR139, HR1181, HRES1423