Providing for Consideration of (H.R. Sunshine Protection Act of Providing for Consideration of (H.R. National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, Providing for Consideration of (H.R. Take Care of America's Veterans Act; Providing for Consideration of (H.R. Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act; and for Other Purposes

Floor Speech

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Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member McGovern for his remarks, and I could not agree with him more.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule for many reasons, as expressed--the outrage about what is in here regarding veterans and their deserved, earned benefits. For my remarks, within it, I will speak to the Sunshine Protection Act.

I worry that this bill is repeating the mistakes of the past and that it is being rushed to the floor without a robust committee process.

We tried permanent daylight saving time during the 1970s oil crisis, and it lasted less than a year. The policy was popular until parents realized their children had to travel to school in darkness, armed with flashlights. After eight Florida children were killed in traffic accidents, the Governor called on Congress to end the 2-year experiment early.

Over 50 years later, we are making the same mistake again. Please, let's not. We are doing it with less information.

The only hearing on time zones this Congress focused on tourism and golf courses. Members should have been able to speak and ask doctors how permanent daylight savings time would affect our health, safety, and well-being.

My home State is Pennsylvania. We did just this in April. In a hearing, Dr. Indira Gurubhagavatula, director of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship at UPenn, explained that our body clocks rely on bright light when we wake up in the morning and dim light in the evening before we go to bed.

Under this bill, Pennsylvanians would wake up in the darkness for months. In some parts of the State, over 100 sunrises would be after 8 a.m. Disruption in our natural sleep-wake cycle can reduce reaction time, alertness, and other measures of performance and safety.

Sleep deprivation leads to a higher risk of serious health conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression, and some forms of cancer.

This topic deserves robust debate, not a closed rule. Congresswoman Scanlon proposed an amendment for a permanent standard time to do just that, but it was promptly rejected.

In closing, for the health and safety of our constituents, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the rule.

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