Sunshine Protection Act of 2025

Floor Speech

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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of Temporary Period for Daylight Savings Time.-- Section 3 of the Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. 260a) is hereby repealed.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'';

(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),''.

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. 139.

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.
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Mr. BILIRAKIS. I thank the gentleman for his persistency all these years, along with the former Senator Rubio, who is now our Secretary of State. This has always been a priority for both of them.

I want to add that the substance of this bill was heard in the Energy and Commerce Committee recently and placed into the surface transportation bill. It does have bipartisan support. Also, if you want your standard time under this bill, you can keep your standard time.

Mr. Speaker, 19 States, again, have passed legislation for permanent daylight saving time.

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. We appreciate him so very much.

I just want to read off some of the 19 States that proactively passed laws to lock the clock: The great State of Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Alabama, Georgia, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Idaho, Louisiana, South Carolina, Utah, Wyoming, Delaware, Maine, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and of course, the great State of Florida, so it is not a Florida conspiracy.

Mr. Speaker, we want to give people an opportunity to go out in the sunshine, an extra hour a day. I am thinking, first of all, safety for our seniors, but also for our children. Our children are on these devices constantly, unfortunately. They should be given an opportunity to go out, and they should be encouraged to go out and play ball or whatever they would like to do with their friends.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a strong, very strong vote in favor of this bill. I will tell you that it is very, very important that we get this done as soon as possible.

In closing, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 139, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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