**US Senators Advocate for Permanent Daylight Savings**
The original goal of daylight savings was to provide more daylight for work and save fuel for gas lamps. However, since gas lamps are no longer in use, the necessity of this practice is questionable. Many people, myself included, find the time changes associated with Daylight Savings to be disruptive to their sleep schedule. A group of bipartisan senators in the United States have recognized this issue and taken action.
In November, they introduced the “Sunshine Protection Act of 2021,” which aims to make Daylight Savings Time permanent and eliminate the need to switch between Standard Time and Daylight Savings Time. Although the initial attempt faced setbacks, the bill was reintroduced to the Senate recently.
Senator Marco Rubio from Florida expressed his support for the bill, emphasizing the benefits of year-round Daylight Saving Time. He highlighted how studies have shown that having more daylight in the evenings can reduce car accidents and crimes, while also allowing children to play outside for longer periods. Senator Rubio stressed the importance of passing the bill to provide stability for families throughout the year.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse from Rhode Island echoed Senator Rubio’s sentiments, noting that American lifestyles have evolved significantly since the inception of Daylight Saving Time. Making Daylight Saving Time permanent would eliminate the biannual disruptions and give families more daylight hours to enjoy after work and school.
The upcoming change to Daylight Savings Time is scheduled for Sunday, March 14. With the potential passage of this act, this could mark the final transition between time systems, bringing about a more consistent approach to timekeeping.
