Congressman Pat Harrigan Co-Leads Legislation to End the Twice-Yearly Clock Change
Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) joined Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-5) in co-leading the Sunshine for Our Kids Act, bipartisan legislation to end the twice-yearly clock change and make standard time the permanent default nationwide, while allowing individual states to opt into daylight saving time if they choose.
"It's hard to find anyone who enjoys changing the clocks twice a year, yet Americans have been stuck with the same outdated policy for decades. The Sunshine for Our Kids Act replaces that one-size-fits-all mandate with a smarter approach by making standard time the default while allowing states to decide what works best for their own communities," said Congressman Harrigan.
"For decades, scientists and medical professionals have highlighted the detrimental mental and physical health impacts of twice-a-year clock changes, particularly on children and teens. The Sunshine for Our Kids Act will not only help children and teens during the most important years for mental and physical development, but will also promote public health and safety in our communities,” said Congresswoman Scanlon.
The bill is endorsed by leading medical and sleep health organizations across the country, including:
"Permanent standard time is the healthier choice for all Americans. We are grateful to Congresswoman Scanlon for championing legislation that puts health and safety first and helps ensure that mornings are better aligned with natural light and human circadian rhythms,” said Dr. Abbasi-Fienberg, President of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
"Permanent standard time will lead to a healthier, safer, and more productive America. Natural standard time has a proven track record of improving public health, student performance, and economic output. Permanent standard time ends the harms of clock changes while best aligning with human circadian biology,” said Dr. Karin Johnson and Jay Pea, co-chairs of the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time.
The legislation repeals the current federal daylight saving time mandate under the Uniform Time Act of 1966 and instead makes standard time the national default. States would retain the flexibility to adopt daylight saving time on their own, either statewide or, for states that span multiple time zones, within specific zones, giving local communities control over a decision that has long been dictated from Washington.
Congressman Harrigan will continue working with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance common-sense, bipartisan solutions that put decision-making power back in the hands of states and communities.