The quirky process the Senate used to pass permanent Daylight Savings


Were you among those perhaps wondering how the Senate, a legislative body that so often fails to get anything done, managed to on Tuesday swiftly and unanimously pass a bill that would make Daylight Savings Time permanent? Well, in news that unfortunately makes a lot of sense, apparently even the senators were shocked at their own success.
Turns out, BuzzFeed News reports, the entire beleaguered Senate legislative process can be bypassed with something known as "unanimous consent," which skips the debate and votes and immediately moves to the passage of the bill so long as no one objects. If everyone's in favor, the bill automatically passes; but if just one senator says no, it's blocked.
Senators ask for unanimous consent all the time, "but it's usually just for show," per BuzzFeed News. Lawmakers typically first notify their counterparts of their plan, allowing others the chance to place what's called a "hold" on the bill to signal their opposition. Once there's at least one hold, there's largely no point in bringing the bill to the floor, Buzzfeed notes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But when Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) brought the Sunshine Protection Act to the floor under a unanimous consent request, some senators seemingly weren't told by their staff (who may have fielded the message) what was happening ... meaning they weren't even able to object.
"It's literally an issue my staff and I had never discussed, and they made an assumption that I don't really care about daylight saving time," said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.). "And I don't know if I do!"
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who's apparently vehemently opposed to permanent daylight savings, was also not made aware and did not get to object, per BuzzFeed News.
So ultimately, it appears the Senate's efficient afternoon may have just been the result of poor communication. Whoops!
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
The Retrievals, series two: 'essential listening'
The Week Recommends The second instalment of this hard-hitting podcast delves into the 'appallingly common injustice' of women having C-sections without pain relief
-
Cool off at the best saltwater pools in the UK
The Week Recommends From 1930s Art Deco lidos to 'magical' tidal pools, these sheltered spots offer a safer alternative to sea swimming
-
Kinmen Islands: Taiwan's frontline with China
In Depth Just a few miles off the mainland, the Kinmen Islands could be attacked first if China invades Taiwan
-
'No one should be surprised by this cynical strategy'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
SCOTUS greenlights mass DOE firings
Speed Read The Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to further shrink the Education Department
-
Cuomo announces third-party run for NYC mayor
Speed Read He will go up against progressive Democratic powerhouse Zohran Mamdani and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams
-
Secret Service 'failures' on Trump shooting
Speed Read Two new reports detail security breakdowns that led to attempts on the president's life
-
Trump set to hit Canada with 35% tariffs
Speed Read The president accused Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney of failing to stop the cross-border flow of fentanyl
-
Mahmoud Khalil files $20M claim over ICE detention
Speed Read This is the 'first damages complaint' brought by an individual targeted by the Trump's administration's 'crackdown' on Gaza war protesters
-
Trump threatens Brazil with 50% tariffs
Speed Read He accused Brazil's current president of leading a 'witch hunt' against far-right former leader Jair Bolsonaro
-
AI scammer fakes Rubio messages to top officials
Speed Read The unknown individual mimicked Rubio in voice and text messages sent to multiple government officials