Vern Buchanan

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 13 wordsI rise today in strong support of my bill, the Sunshine Protection Act, ProcedureClaims · 24 wordswhich would make daylight saving time permanent and finally end the biannual clock switch.¹ Twice a year, Americans are forced to change their clocks. Reasoning · 9 wordsThese changes disrupt their schedule for no good reason. Claims · 15 wordsThe outdated practice is frustrating for families, workers, schools, and small businesses across the country. Procedure · 5 wordsLet me just tell you, ProcedureAnecdote · 19 wordsas someone who has been in business for 30 years, this is gigantic, especially for the small business person.Anecdote Claims · 22 wordsThat additional hour a day, at least in Florida but across the country, makes a big difference in terms of doing business. Reasoning · 7 wordsIdeally, it helps not just small businesses, Claims · 12 wordsbut small businesses create most of the jobs in Florida, as well. Reasoning · 5 wordsIt is key to both. Claims · 23 wordsPolling shows that two-thirds of Americans want to unlock the clock.² My bill is simply a solution to make daylight saving time permanent. Reasoning · 19 wordsAllowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. Claims · 5 wordsIt stimulates small business and, Procedure · 5 wordsas I said, job creation; ProcedureClaims · 12 wordsretail tourism; and provides more time for youth sports and outside recreation. Procedure · 5 wordsLet me just tell you: ProcedureAnecdote · 7 wordsYou see a lot of kids today.Anecdote Claims · 10 wordsThe number is 20 percent of children who are obese.³ Reasoning · 6 wordsThey need to be out more. Claims · 70 wordsThis will make a difference for them.Vague promise There are also significant health benefits associated with DST that would prevent over 200,000 cases of stroke per year.⁴ It would make a big difference, as well, for nearly 2 million people in terms of obesity.⁵ Importantly, this bill allows States to opt out in favor of standard time if that is important to them.⁶ Nineteen States have passed the deadline for this.⁷ Mr. Speaker, The ask · 8 wordsI urge my colleagues to support this legislation.