The AASM threw its support behind the bill on July 9, 2026, citing a scientific consensus that standard time better aligns with human circadian rhythms. By securing morning light, the legislation seeks to improve student alertness and safety, contrasting sharply with the risks associated with permanent daylight saving time. The latter, experts warn, would force children to commute to school during dark winter mornings, complicating sleep cycles and physical well-being.
Bipartisan Sunshine for Our Kids Act Targets Permanent Standard Time
With the introduction of the Sunshine for Our Kids Act, U.S. Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon and Pat Harrigan are pushing to end the nation’s twice-yearly clock shifts. The bipartisan proposal aims to establish permanent standard time, a move the American Academy of Sleep Medicine argues is essential for public health.
Dr. Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg, president of the AASM, emphasized that aligning clocks with natural light is a vital step for national health. The academy, alongside a coalition of research and medical groups, maintains that standard time supports economic productivity and academic performance. Lawmakers are now being urged to move away from the current system of biannual shifts in favor of this science-backed approach to timekeeping.
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