The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill shall be debatable for 1 hour
equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member
of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their respective designees.
  The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).

 =========================== NOTE ===========================

  On July 14, 2026, page H4446, in the first column, the following
appeared: The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. BILIRAKIS) and the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair
recognizes the gentleman from Florida.

  The online version has been corrected to read: The SPEAKER pro
tempore. The bill shall be debatable for 1 hour equally divided
and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the
Committee on Energy and Commerce or their respective designees.
The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the gentleman from
New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) each will control 30 minutes. The Chair
recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).

 ========================= END NOTE =========================

                             General Leave

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
insert extraneous material on H.R. 139.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  1600

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Sunshine
Protection Act. This important legislation will finally end the
outdated practice of changing our clocks twice a year and establish
permanent daylight saving time.
  For decades, Mr. Speaker, Americans have been asking a simple
question: Why are we forcing families, businesses, and communities to
adjust their schedules every spring and fall? The twice-yearly clock
change is a relic of the past that no longer reflects the way Americans
live, work, and conduct business in the 21st century.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Buchanan), the
lead sponsor and my good friend, for working so hard on this
legislation for quite a few years. It is finally coming to fruition. I
know it is very important that we pass this bill.
  In Florida, Mr. Speaker, this issue is especially important. Our
State is home to families, retirees, small businesses, and industries
that depend on predictable schedules and the ability to make the most
of every single day. Floridians have made it clear that they are ready
to ditch the switch.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the President of the United States, Donald J.
Trump, for his strong support of this bill.
  Changing the clocks twice a year creates unnecessary disruption. I
know you agree, Mr. Speaker. It affects sleep patterns, impacts family
routines, creates confusion for businesses, and requires everyone--from
parents and students to employers and employees and even our pets--to
adjust their schedules for no meaningful benefit. After years of study
and discussion, it is clear that Americans value consistency and
certainty.
  Establishing permanent daylight saving time would provide families
with more usable daylight hours in the evening, giving people
additional opportunities to spend time outdoors, support local
businesses, participate in community activities, and enjoy the quality
of life that makes our communities so special.
  Mr. Speaker, I will add this: This is great for our kids. I want, and
I know most parents want, kids to be outdoors now more than ever. The
physical activity means so very much.
  For small businesses, particularly those in tourism, hospitality, and
recreation, as I said, additional evening daylight can help drive
economic activity and create more opportunities to serve customers.
  In a State like Florida, my home State of Florida, where tourism is a
cornerstone of our economy, having more predictable daylight hours is a
practical improvement that benefits workers, businesses, and visitors
alike.
  This legislation is also about listening to the American people. Year
after year, Mr. Speaker, polls show strong support for ending the
outdated clock change. Families do not want another disruption to their
routines. Businesses do not want unnecessary uncertainty. Americans
want a commonsense solution. That is exactly what this bill provides,
and I have spoken to thousands of constituents on this particular bill,
Mr. Speaker, and they agree. They want permanent daylight saving time.
  I am proud that this effort has received bipartisan support because
this is not about politics. It is about practicality. Again, the
ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Pallone, I know strongly
supports this bill, and he will have time to say that. It is about
recognizing, Mr. Speaker, that our laws should keep pace with the needs
of the people who we represent.
  Today, we have an opportunity to take a meaningful step toward
delivering something Americans have been asking for: consistency,
convenience, and a better way to manage their time.
  The American people are long past ready to ditch the switch. I urge
my colleagues to join me in supporting this critical piece of
legislation and sending it over to the Senate, and I know the President
will sign it. I know he is a strong backer, and I appreciate his
support again.
  Finally, Congress needs to bring an end to the twice-yearly clock
change.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Sunshine
Protection Act.
  This act addresses an issue on which many Americans actually agree,
and that is stopping the biannual process of changing our clocks.
  Only 12 percent of Americans prefer to switch their clocks twice a
year. Far more Americans recognize that the practice is inconvenient
and, frankly, disruptive.
  Stopping the twice-yearly time change benefits the health and well-
being of all Americans. The time change inevitably disrupts sleep
patterns and is especially disruptive to the sleep of young children
and pets.
  Time change also is associated with an increase in the rate of heart
attacks and strokes in the days immediately following the change.
Disturbingly, studies have shown that the increase in stroke rates
after the time change is even higher for some of our most vulnerable
populations. For example, cancer patients' stroke rates increase by 25
percent, and people over the age of 65 are 20 percent more likely to
have a stroke in the days following the time change.
  The Sunshine Protection Act would implement permanent daylight saving
time and stop the twice-a-year change that disrupts our sleep and our
health.
  Taking this action will increase the sunshine hours in the evening,
allowing many Americans to leave work for more sunlight in the winter
months, not darkness. The increased evening sunlight will also provide
a needed boost to our tourism industry. Extra sunlight means more time
at the beach, more time eating out at restaurants, and more time doing
outdoor leisure activities.
  In my district along the Jersey Shore, tourists can enjoy beautiful
coastal areas with serene beaches, embark on fishing ventures along the
Atlantic Coast, enjoy a nice outdoor concert from iconic musicians in
places like Asbury Park, and so much more. Last year alone, New Jersey
welcomed more than 120 million visitors to our State, and they
contributed more than $50 billion to our State's economy.