HRES-1055-119
Motion to Discharge Committee filed by Mr. Steube. Petition No: 119-20. (<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/DischargePetition/2026042920">Discharge petition</a> text with signatures.)
Sponsored by W. Steube (R-FL)
What it does
This is a procedural "rule" resolution (H.Res. 1055) that would set the terms for the House of Representatives to consider H.R. 7378, a separate bill that would permanently fix American clocks to one time standard by amending the Calder Act. The resolution itself does not change time law — it would only govern how and whether the underlying bill gets debated and voted on. A discharge petition has been filed, meaning sponsors are attempting to bypass the Rules Committee and bring the resolution directly to the House floor.
Who benefits
Members of Congress who support H.R. 7378 and want a floor vote on permanent time standardization. Advocacy groups and industries that have lobbied for an end to clock changes, such as retail, hospitality, and entertainment sectors. Constituents who want their representatives to have the opportunity to vote on the underlying time-change bill.
Who is hurt
Members of Congress and committee chairs — particularly on the Rules Committee — who prefer to control the floor schedule and oppose bypassing the normal committee process. Members who oppose the underlying H.R. 7378 and would prefer it not receive a floor vote. The discharge petition process, if successful, reduces the majority leadership's control over the legislative agenda.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that the Rules Committee has bottlenecked broadly popular legislation and that the discharge petition is a legitimate constitutional tool to restore majority will on the House floor. They contend that permanent time standardization has bipartisan public support — polling consistently shows majorities of Americans favor eliminating clock changes — and that procedural gatekeeping should not indefinitely block a direct up-or-down vote.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that the committee process exists to ensure legislation is properly vetted, amended, and coordinated with related policy areas before reaching the floor. They contend that bypassing the Rules Committee through a discharge petition undermines deliberative norms and sets a precedent that could be used to force votes on poorly developed or politically divisive measures, regardless of the merits of this particular bill.