On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., with other Florida Republicans, brought back a proposal making Daylight Savings Time (DST) permanent across the country.
Last March, Rubio unveiled the “Sunshine Protection Act” after the Florida Legislature passed a bill calling on Congress to make DST permanent across the Sunshine State. Rubio reintroduced the bill this week.
“Studies have shown many benefits of a year-round Daylight Saving Time, which is why Florida’s legislature overwhelmingly voted to make it permanent last year,” Rubio said. “Reflecting the will of the state of Florida, I’m proud to reintroduce this bill to also make Daylight Saving Time permanent nationally.”
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., is cosponsoring the bill in the Senate.
“I was glad to sign legislation as governor to continue Daylight Saving Time year-round for Floridians, and now join Senator Rubio to lead this effort in Congress,” Scott said. “The Sunshine Protection Act will allow Floridians and visitors to enjoy our beautiful state even later in the day, and will benefit Florida’s tourism industry, which just celebrated another record year.”
Over on the other side of Capitol Hill, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., are backing the companion measure.
“Last year, Florida lawmakers were the first in the nation to vote to make Daylight Saving Time permanent in our home state. We should follow their lead at the national level to allow them to move forward with this change and ensure that Florida and the rest of the nation are on the same page year-round.” Buchanan said on Wednesday.
Rubio pointed to a host of benefits in making DST permanent across the nation, including a JP Morgan Chase study which found a drop in city’s economies after ending DST in fall; a Brookings Institution study which found extended daylight in the evening reduces crime; and studies from the American Journal of Public Health and the Journal of Safety Research which found that there are less car accidents during DST.
The Florida Republican also insisted there were health benefits in making DST permanent including studies from the International Journal Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity and the Journal of Physical Activity and Health which found that children exercise more; and a report from the Journal of Environment Psychology which showed more cycling and walking when DST is extended.
