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Marco Rubio wants to make daylight saving time permanent

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United States Senator Marco Rubio is making another push to eliminate the country's clock change twice a year – a task done by residents of almost every state in the country.

“It’s time to close the clock,” the Florida Republican congressman’s office said in a news release Monday.

Rubio released a statement making daylight saving time permanent just days before the twice-yearly change from daylight saving time to standard time, which takes place on Sunday.

The senator recommended that the nation “stop putting up with the ridiculous and antiquated practice of turning our clocks back and forth. Let’s finally pass my Sunshine Protection Act and end the need to ‘back away’ and ‘spring forward’ once and for all.”

USA TODAY has reached out to Rubio's office for more information about his efforts.

Rubio's counterattack to stop the time change

This isn't the first time Rubio has pushed to enforce daylight saving time.

In March 2023, Rubio reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act to the 118th Congress to attempt to end the routine practice of changing clocks twice a year nationwide.

Although there are legislative proposals, no real change has taken place as the federal government does not yet allow it. The Sunshine Protect Act passed the Senate in 2022 but has made no progress in the House despite being introduced in multiple legislative sessions.

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When does summer time start?

Daylight saving time began in 2024 at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 10, when clocks moved forward one hour as part of the twice-yearly time change.

The current time change ends at 2 a.m. on November 3rd for most, but not all, Americans. The clocks are “set back” an hour to allow for more daylight in the morning. Some states are not observing the change.

Which countries do not observe the time change?

Arizona and Hawaii do not observe the time change.

The reasons vary, USA TODAY previously reported, as some have opted out due to factors related to their environment or geographic location.

Featuring: Jeanine Santucci, Emily DeLetter and Amaris Encinas

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.

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