The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the United States, eliminating the twice-yearly clock changes that have long divided lawmakers, health experts and the public.
The Sunshine Protection Act passed the House in a 308-117 vote on Tuesday and now heads to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain. If approved by the Senate, the legislation will be sent to President Donald Trump for his signature.
The proposal seeks to end the long-standing practice of moving clocks forward in spring and back in autumn, a routine many Americans consider outdated and disruptive.
House Approves the Sunshine Protection Act
The legislation received broad bipartisan support in the House, although opinions remain divided over whether permanent Daylight Saving Time is the best solution.
Supporters argue that eliminating seasonal clock changes would simplify daily life, improve public health and boost economic activity by extending evening daylight throughout the year.
The measure now faces another hurdle in the Senate, where similar proposals have stalled in previous years despite widespread public interest.
Trump Backs Ending the Clock Changes
President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised the twice-yearly time changes, describing them as unnecessary and expensive.
After the House committee advanced the bill earlier this year, Trump welcomed the move on Truth Social.
“Hundreds of Millions of Dollars are spent every year by people, Cities, and States, being forced to change their Clocks.”
He added that Americans should no longer have to worry about changing their clocks twice each year and described the legislation as a victory for the country.
Although Trump has consistently supported ending the clock changes, his preference between permanent Daylight Saving Time and permanent Standard Time has shifted over the years.
Supporters Say Permanent Daylight Saving Time Has Major Benefits
Backers of the legislation argue that maintaining Daylight Saving Time year-round would produce several advantages for Americans.
Among the most frequently cited benefits are:
- Eliminating the loss of one hour of sleep every spring.
- Reducing disruptions to children’s sleep schedules.
- Increasing evening daylight for outdoor activities.
- Encouraging more retail spending and recreation.
- Potentially lowering crime rates during evening hours.
- Reducing symptoms associated with seasonal depression.
Democratic Representative Frank Pallone said lawmakers should question why the nation continues changing its clocks despite growing scientific evidence highlighting the disruption it causes.
“There’s a lot of science on this, and really the question is, why do we still change our clocks?” he said.
Critics Warn of Health and Economic Consequences
Opponents argue that permanent Daylight Saving Time could create significant problems, particularly during winter months.
One of the biggest concerns is that many communities would experience much later sunrises, with some areas not seeing daylight until after 9 a.m.
Agricultural groups have long opposed permanent Daylight Saving Time, warning that darker mornings would complicate farming operations that depend heavily on natural daylight.
Education advocates have also expressed concern that children would travel to school in darkness for much of the winter, increasing safety risks.
Representative Mary Gay Scanlon argued that if Congress intends to adopt a permanent time system, permanent Standard Time would better align with scientific research on human health and natural sleep cycles.
“If we’re going to make a permanent change that affects every American, we should follow the science and prioritize Americans’ health, particularly that of children,” she said.
States Already Preparing for the Change
Several states have already passed laws supporting permanent Daylight Saving Time should Congress authorize it.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 19 states have enacted legislation that would automatically adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time once federal approval is granted.
The bill also allows individual states to opt out before the law takes effect.
States such as Hawaii and most of Arizona already observe permanent Standard Time and would be able to continue doing so if they choose.
Americans Want an End to Clock Changes
Public opinion surveys consistently show that most Americans dislike changing their clocks twice each year.
However, there is far less agreement on which permanent system should replace the current arrangement.
Some prefer permanent Daylight Saving Time for its longer evening daylight, while others believe permanent Standard Time better reflects natural daylight patterns and supports healthier sleep schedules.
Representative Nick Langworthy acknowledged the dilemma during committee discussions.
“We’ve heard loud and clear that people don’t want to change the clocks,” he said, while noting that lawmakers remain divided over the best alternative.
Congress Has Tried Before
This is not the first attempt to eliminate seasonal clock changes.
In 1974, during the energy crisis, Congress briefly adopted permanent Daylight Saving Time in an effort to conserve energy.
The policy proved deeply unpopular after Americans experienced extremely dark winter mornings, leading lawmakers to reverse the decision within months.
More recently, the Senate unanimously passed a similar bill in 2022, but it never received a vote in the House.
Another attempt in 2025 also failed after Republican Senator Tom Cotton blocked the measure from advancing through unanimous consent.
Senate Decision Will Determine the Bill’s Future
The Sunshine Protection Act now moves to the Senate, where lawmakers must decide whether to approve the legislation.
If passed, President Trump is expected to sign the bill into law, potentially bringing an end to the twice-yearly clock changes that have affected Americans for generations.
Whether permanent Daylight Saving Time becomes national policy will now depend on whether the Senate can reach consensus on one of the country’s longest-running and most divisive timekeeping debates.
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