It’s About Time…Time That We Stop Moving Our Clocks Ahead

When it comes to politics, Democrats and Republicans don't agree on much especially in 2023. So it's nice when they come together and find common ground. Is it securing the border? No. Is it gun control? Not quite. Is it government spending? Not even close. It's...making Daylight Savings Time (DST) permanent . Well we need to start somewhere.

Sunshine Protection Act of 2023

Republican U.S. Senator Marco Rubio is reintroducing the Sunshine Protection Act of 2023. Last March, the Senate unanimously passed the legislation and sent it to House Speaker (D) Nancy Pelosi but it was never brought it up for a vote.

Now that the Republicans are back in charge of the House, they are going to give it another try. Both sides of the aisle including Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) were among the original cosponsors of the legislation.

If passed, this would stop us from changing the clocks twice a year...amongst other things You can read the entire bill here. My question is: How will we know when to change the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors?

How Long Has Daylight Savings Time Been Around

So how long has DST been around? Not as long as you might think. In the US, it didn't start until WWI when Congress decided to give the idea a try in an effort to save energy in 1918 but it was repealed the next year.

In 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt wanted to permanently set the clocks a hour ahead all-year-round to save energy. He called it "War Time." After the WWII ended in 1945, most states adopted a summer-only time change.

It was supposed to save energy but because of the invention of air-conditioning, it actually uses 1% more electricity. So until the Sunshine Protection Act of 2023 is passed and signed, we'll keep springing forward and falling back twice a year.

Get our free mobile app

So when you go to bed on Saturday night, change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and don't forget to 'SPRING" your clock forward an hour. After all, you don't want to get to church as the pastor is saying the benediction and closing prayer...do you?

Wait a minute, don't answer that.