WASHINGTON (WDNews) — Americans may be one step closer to ending the twice-yearly ritual of changing their clocks.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the Sunshine Protection Act by a bipartisan vote of 308-117. The legislation would make daylight saving time permanent, eliminating the need to “spring forward” in March and “fall back” in November.
The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate. If approved there, it would go to President Donald Trump, who has expressed support for making daylight saving time permanent.
If the measure becomes law, most Americans would no longer change their clocks twice a year. Instead, the nation would remain on daylight saving time year-round, resulting in later sunsets and darker winter mornings. Hawaii and most of Arizona, which already do not observe daylight saving time, would continue to be exempt.
Supporters say permanent daylight saving time would reduce the disruption caused by changing clocks twice a year, provide more evening daylight for outdoor activities, boost tourism and retail spending, and potentially reduce traffic accidents and workplace injuries.
Opponents argue the change would lead to darker mornings during the winter months, raising concerns about children traveling to school before sunrise and the impact on sleep and overall health. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has previously supported permanent standard time instead, saying it better aligns with the body’s natural circadian rhythm.
Congress has considered similar legislation before. In 2022, the Senate unanimously passed a version of the Sunshine Protection Act, but it never received a vote in the House. This latest proposal now faces another Senate vote before it can become law.
