Daylight Saving Time is over, at least for now. And if there’s one good thing about technology making everything “smart,” it’s that you probably didn’t have many clocks to PHYSICALLY turn back this weekend.
Still, most Americans are OVER the time-changing madness.
According to a recent poll, 54% of Americans would love to see the clock-changing done away with for good. 40% want to keep it, but according to reports, support for time-changes is at its lowest level in history.
In a poll three weeks ago, only 12% support the current clock-changing system.
A few years ago, it seemed like the government was going to put a stop to it, mostly because there was BIPARTISAN support from many on BOTH sides.
There are several bills kicking around in Congress, but like everything else, it’s gridlocked, and there’s very little push to get anything done.
For what it’s worth, most of the hold-outs aren’t CLINGING TO THE JOY of changing clocks in the middle of the night twice a year.
The issue is whether the “permanent” time would be the later summer hours, or the earlier winter, “Standard Time” hours. Also: You can’t really have every state choose its own time, because that would just be a HUGE cluster.
Generally, the public is divided. In the latest poll, 56% of Americans favor year-round Daylight Saving Time (summer hours), while 42% prefer Standard Time.
If you care about the federal status, the Republicans are currently in complete control of the government, so the onus is on them right now. Last month, Republican Senator Rick Scott from Florida tried to advance a bill, the so-called “Sunshine Protection Act”, to nix the time change.
His bill is co-sponsored by at least seven Republican senators and five Senate Democrats, and it was backed by President Trump.
But Republican Senator Tom Cotton from Arkansas blocked it. He said, “The darkness of permanent Daylight Saving Time would be a dismal time for millions, [it would be] especially harmful for school children and working Americans.” He’s talking about the darker mornings.
(USA Today / Axios / The Hill / Gallup)
