As days are getting shorter one thing is inevitable, the end of daylight saving time is approaching. This results in the sun setting earlier each day, more electrical use in our homes, and a lack of productivity in our workforce. Pennsylvanians also face preventable safety risks, and deal with avoidable schedule disruptions when we change our clocks. Research even shows that fatal vehicle crashes rise in the week after the shift, largely due to sleep loss and the disruption of our circadian rhythms. These preventable risks and disruptions can be resolved by adopting permanent, year-round daylight saving time.
 
Under federal law, states are permitted to opt-out of observing daylight saving time, but they are not permitted to observe daylight saving time year-round. Therefore, I am introducing a resolution urging the United States Congress to require that all states permanently observe daylight saving time year-round. Eliminating the spring and fall switch and adopting permanent daylight saving time will help people keep steadier circadian rhythms, reduce the short-term spikes in heart attacks and strokes reported after clock changes, and reduce seasonal mood problems like the rise in depression reported after the switch. These are transition-related effects that will improve if we stop changing the clocks. Further, by adopting daylight saving time year-round, we will simplify operations for the transportation and communication industries that depend on consistent timekeeping.
 
Keeping a consistent time will also bring everyday benefits: more usable light during busy evening hours is linked to fewer pedestrian deaths, lower robbery, increased commerce, and even energy savings. Please join me in co-sponsoring this resolution to call on Congress to act.