Marco Rubio among senators pressing to extend Daylight Saving Time

Spring forward, fall back.

The catchy phrase helps many people remember what to do with their clocks biannually for Daylight Saving Time.

This year, Americans across the nation will set their clocks back one hour on Nov. 1.

But two Florida senators don’t want to observe the time change -- at least not until 2021.

Florida senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott introduced a bill to keep the time as it is until Nov. 7, 2021, or until the coronavirus pandemic ends.

“The bill would provide one year of stability for families who are already dealing with enough change with virtual learning, work from home, and other disruptions the COVID-19 pandemic has placed into our daily lives,” a press release from Rubio’s office reads.

Scott said people have spent so much time indoors in the midst of the pandemic that they would appreciate more time in which they can enjoy daytime hours outdoors.

“Our government has asked a lot of the American people over the past seven months, and keeping the nation on Daylight Saving Time is just one small step we can take to help ease the burden," Rubio said. “More daylight in the after school hours is critical to helping families and children endure this challenging school year. Studies have shown many benefits of a year-round Daylight Saving Time, and while I believe we should make it permanent all year around, I urge my colleagues to — at the very least — work with me to avoid changing the clocks this fall.”

This isn’t the first time Rubio has supported making Daylight Saving Time the standard throughout the year.

In March 2019, he introduced the Sunshine Protection Act to make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the country.

According to Rubio, at least 11 other states support enactment of year-round Daylight Saving Time.

He said making Daylight Saving Time permanent would prompt economic boost, decrease childhood obesity rates, decrease the number of automobile accidents and reduce energy usage.

Read more here.

Cox Media Group