Here’s When We Fall Back In North Dakota Unless Congress Steps In

Permanant Daylight Savings Time

Otherwise known as the Sunshine Protection Act was a bill that overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives by a margin of 308 to 117. This bill is now waiting for the Senate to vote on it, and this could become a law I think many of us in North Dakota would love to see pass...But not so fast.

As usual, Congress is slow to act on anything. The timing may squash this bill and force us to once again "Fall Back", and then "Spring Forward". The Senate returned from its summer recess on September 14th and is currently in session until October 5th, leaving a narrow window for lawmakers to advance the proposal before clocks are set to fall back on November 1st.

(SEE ALSO: How Permanant Daylight Savings Time Would Change ND Winters)

Not good news for people on the side of the fence in favor of Permanent Daylight Savings Time. According to a story I saw on ABC World News Tonight, even though the Senate is back in session, Permanent Daylight Savings Time isn't even on the agenda. WTH? Apparently, the chances of any action affecting this year's time change diminish every day the calendar moves closer to October.

What is the Sunshine Protection Act?

According to Wikipedia, this is a bipartisan federal bill designed to make Daylight Saving Time permanent nationwide. This would make the biannual practice of changing clocks "spring forward" and "fall back" no longer needed. It would also keep the United States one hour ahead of standard time year-round.

When We Move Clocks Back

Unless Congress pulls a rabbit out of a hat and gets their a$$ in gear, we are set to fall back on Sunday at 2 am on November 1st. On the bright side, you get an extra hour of Halloween partying if you want it.