Senator Markey Laments Impending Loss of Sunshine, Urges House to Take Up Permanent Daylight Saving Time Legislation

Press Release

Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement today in anticipation of the end of daylight saving time (DST) for the year as the nation "falls back" on Sunday morning. Senator Markey is an original sponsor of the bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act, alongside Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), which unanimously passed the Senate in March. The legislation would make DST permanent, for more year-round sunshine. Studies show that making DST permanent would have positive impacts on public health, the economy, and would could help cut energy consumption.

"A cloud of darkness is set to descend on Americans this weekend," said Senator Markey. "On Sunday morning at 2:00 AM Eastern Time, we'll "fall back' and lose the extra hour of evening sunshine that daylight saving time provides. Studies have shown that year-round daylight saving time would improve our economy, alter our energy consumption, and enhance our physical and mental health. As the sun sets on our sunshine and we enter a long, dark winter, Congress has a chance to do something almost unheard of in the wake of a midterm election: pass bipartisan legislation. Now that the Senate has voted unanimously to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, I'm sending rays of support to the House to get this done so Americans don't have to suffer in darkness."

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