U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke on the Senate floor in support of the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill he introduced to make Daylight Saving Time permanent nationwide. Tuberville, along with Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and other colleagues, pushed for a vote on the measure, but it did not pass in the Senate.
In his speech, Tuberville highlighted that changing clocks twice a year is an issue frequently raised by his constituents. He explained the historical context of Daylight Saving Time, noting its origins during World War I and II as a way to conserve fuel and energy, before states were given authority over time changes after each war. The current system of biannual clock changes was established in 1966.
Tuberville argued that modern research shows negative health effects from changing clocks. He cited studies linking time shifts to increased risks of cardiovascular disease and physical injuries. “Northwestern [Medicine] found that the fall back and the spring forward are connected to a 6% spike in fatal car accidents and a 24% higher risk of heart attacks. Think about that,” Tuberville said.
He also mentioned long-term health concerns such as weight gain, cluster headaches, and depression related to clock changes. “Bottom line: switching our clocks disrupts sleep patterns, and it has been proven time and time again to be harmful to the health,” Tuberville stated.
Tuberville referenced efforts by RFK Jr. at HHS to promote healthier lifestyles among Americans and suggested that continuing clock changes runs counter to those initiatives. “Switching the clock back and forth is the exact opposite of the Make America Healthy Again movement that RFK Jr. has championed. It’s bad for sleep, it’s bad for nutrition, and it’s bad for overall health,” he said.
Despite bipartisan efforts, including collaboration with Senator Scott, the bill was not brought to a vote this session.
Senator Tuberville serves Alabama in the U.S. Senate and sits on several committees including Armed Services; Agriculture; Veterans’ Affairs; Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP); and Aging.
