Steube Files Discharge Petition to Expedite Passage of Sunshine Protection Act

The push to make daylight saving time (DST) permanent nationwide has picked up steam again thanks to Representative Greg Steube (R-FL), who recently filed a discharge petition for the Sunshine Protection Act.

As CBS helpfully defines it, a discharge petition is a maneuver through which 218 members of the House of Representatives must sign a petition to bring the bill out of committee and automatically put it on the House floor for a vote without the Speaker needing to approve it.

Rep. Steube noted that the movement to end the "falling back" and "springing forward" of clocks twice a year within Congress has bipartisan support but has not gotten anywhere for a vote.

"Americans should never again face the outdated ritual of turning back the clocks to standard time. As a strong advocate for permanent Daylight Saving Time, I've led efforts in the Florida legislature to keep our extra sunshine year-round. In Congress, I'm pleased to co-sponsor the Sunshine Protection Act, and I remain committed to making this common-sense change for the benefit of all Americans. It's time to make permanent Daylight Saving Time a reality. I hope the majority of my colleagues will agree and sign the Discharge Petition," said Rep. Steube in his press release.

The Florida Congressman reiterated the apparent benefits of permanently maintaining daylight saving time, which were reported by Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), who were pushing for the House's passage of the bill at the end of October. These include a lower rate of traffic accidents, higher rates of economic activity, improved health, and lower crime rates, all simply because of more daylight hours.

The Senate version of the Sunshine Protection Act passed unanimously in March 2022, but the House version, initially introduced by Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL), has lingered in committee ever since.

"This is an opportunity for Congress to deliver on an overwhelmingly popular and bipartisan issue. Locking the clock is not just common sense—it's a win for public health, safety, and our economy," Steube added.