Everyone enjoying “fall back?”
If the Senate got its way — and the bill they passed in March became law — today would have been the last-ever “fall back.”
But instead, the bill for permanent daylight saving quietly died in the House.
I got curious how that happened. (Thread.)
If the Senate got its way — and the bill they passed in March became law — today would have been the last-ever “fall back.”
But instead, the bill for permanent daylight saving quietly died in the House.
I got curious how that happened. (Thread.)
First - as we reported at the time, the Senate bill surprised the House. It surprised the White House. As @pdmcleod first reported, it also surprised some senators: buzzfeednews.com/paulmcleod/day…
And in Washington, “surprise” is not a good strategy for winning allies and making law.
And in Washington, “surprise” is not a good strategy for winning allies and making law.
So it was clear: lawmakers wanted time to strategize.
@FrankPallone, chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, told me in mid-March “it could be weeks — or it could be months” before the House made a decision on the bill.
Ok. But it’s been 7 months…
washingtonpost.com/health/2022/03…
@FrankPallone, chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, told me in mid-March “it could be weeks — or it could be months” before the House made a decision on the bill.
Ok. But it’s been 7 months…
washingtonpost.com/health/2022/03…
Lawmakers like @janschakowsky, who chairs the key panel reviewing the bill, say they’ve been deluged by calls and e-mails arguing both sides.
Keeping daylight saving time in winter = bad for kids heading to school, good for businesses later in the day.
washingtonpost.com/health/2022/11…
Keeping daylight saving time in winter = bad for kids heading to school, good for businesses later in the day.
washingtonpost.com/health/2022/11…
There’s also been a steady stream of warnings from doctors who say that daylight saving time throws off our body’s rhythms, and that if we make a switch, it should be to *permanent standard time* (an issue illustrated by @asteckelberg @lindseybever here). washingtonpost.com/wellness/inter…
But because it’s Washington — and the legislation has ground to a halt — I wondered: have lobbyists gotten involved?
And in looking at lobbying disclosures, it turns out that the American Academy of Sleep Medicine made fighting the Senate bill a new priority this year.
And in looking at lobbying disclosures, it turns out that the American Academy of Sleep Medicine made fighting the Senate bill a new priority this year.
Some congressional aides and I joked about how “Big Sleep” may pale next to “Big Pharma” or “Big Tech.”
But just like any other advocacy issue, the sleep experts are following a playbook: spend more on lobbying, meet with more lawmakers, cite data. And it’s helped stop the bill!
But just like any other advocacy issue, the sleep experts are following a playbook: spend more on lobbying, meet with more lawmakers, cite data. And it’s helped stop the bill!
As a result, senators trying to stop clock changes — like @marcorubio and @PattyMurray — will likely need to start over next year.
For more on how the House hit the snooze button on permanent daylight saving time, here’s an ungated article (no paywall.) wapo.st/3TaZNIW
For more on how the House hit the snooze button on permanent daylight saving time, here’s an ungated article (no paywall.) wapo.st/3TaZNIW
Thanks also to @martinepowers and the #PostReports team for bringing back this fun episode about clock changes today, touching on everything from President Biden’s own record on the issue to the mid-1970s failure of permanent daylight saving time. washingtonpost.com/podcasts/post-…
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